By General William E. "Kip" Ward, commander, U.S. Africa Command
U.S. AFRICOM Public Affairs  Print     Share  

MONROVIA, Liberia, 

Sep 2, 2008 — U.S. Army General William E. "Kip" Ward, commander, U.S. Africa Command, addressed Liberian service members and other distinguished guests August 29, 2008 at a ceremony for the activation of a new infantry battalion. The battalion trained with the assistance of the United States and the international community.

Following is the transcript of Ward's speech. For more information on the activation of Liberia's Armed Forces, visit http://www.africom.mil/getArticle.asp?art=2011.

Good afternoon and greetings to everyone here on this special occasion. I want to offer my most sincere, personal gratitude to President Johnson Sirleaf. Madam President, thank you for inviting me here to witness the activation of the newest unit of the new Armed Forces of Liberia. I am honored to see firsthand the progress that is being made and I applaud all that is being done to develop your military and to improve the capabilities of your nation.

Minister Samukai, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield, distinguished guests it is great to see you here as well. It is a privilege to be a part of this important milestone.
I have been in Liberia for a couple of days now and I am impressed with what I have seen. The AFL is standing up in fine fashion. This is evidenced by Soldiers graduating from IET and the activation of the battalion before us. Congratulations to the graduates, I am sure your training was challenging and I believe that it has prepared you for what lies ahead.

The Road to this point:

First Battalion, you look outstanding! Congratulations on your activation. Together with todayys graduates and the projected stand up of the second battalion, you are the foundation of Liberiaas new Army. This foundation is essential to Liberiaas growth as a nation and I am proud to be here to celebrate this with you.
I know that it has been a long road for you to get to this point. This occasion marks an important juncture for the Liberian people. Liberia and its citizens have surmounted some of the toughest challenges imaginable.
I have seen that the Liberian people are taking steps to improve Liberiaas infrastructure and economy; these improvements will begin to show their benefits over time. This unit is a symbol of hope for the country of Liberia, her citizens and its future.

While this ceremony marks the completion of forming the battalion, it is only the beginning of its legacy. Soldiers may join and depart the unit, but the story, the reputation of the First Battalion will endure. What that legacy is depends on each of you. Your deeds will shape your unitts history and reputation, building traditions that show your fellow Soldiers and the Liberian people that the Armed Forces of Liberia are a proud and admirable organization.
Starting with the very first day you entered the army, you began writing the history of the new AFL. Each day presents a new opportunity to shape the legacy and reputation of the AFL. You help write a new and positive page in the history of this great country.

The Colors:

Your colors are posted at the front of your formation. Historically, the colors served as the marker on the battlefield for everyone to follow. Tactics have changed, but the importance of your unitts flag continues. It is the symbol of your unit and the only thing that will remain constant throughout the years. Soldiers, Officers and Commanders will change, but the colors remain steadfast.

The colors also represent the good values of the Liberian military. These values exist at the core of who you are as a person, and what your unit, your military and Liberia stand for as a whole. Values often guide us in the absence of orders from our superiors and in moments of uncertainty. They also engender great pride among a nationns people. Militaries that embody strong values and exhibit impeccable character are those that not only excel at the mission, but also serve as an example for the people to look up to.

Values:

Ladies and gentlemen, these values are what make a well-rounded Soldier, and a solid unit. Specially, I am talking about selfless-service, respect, duty, courage, integrity, and loyalty. Now, you may ask, what exactly do they mean? Why are they so important? If you will bear with me for a moment, I will give you some of my insights on these six values and how keeping them reflect greatly upon you the Soldier, your unit, and your nation.

First is selfless service. Selflessness requires you to put the welfare of your nation, its Army and your subordinates before your own. Selflessness extends to your fellow Soldiers as well. The Soldiers to your left and right are your brothers and sisters in arms and you have to watch out for each other. You depend on each other just as your nation depends on you.

Second, respect for yourself, your counterparts and your leadership is necessary. Simple decency towards one another is what I am talking about. Treat people how you want to be treated. I always say that if you are not doing something every day to improve the lives of those around you, you are not doing your job. Respect for others is a very big part of being a good Soldier; respect for one another and everyone wins.
Third, a sense of duty is a necessary quality of a Soldier. Doing your duty means dedication to fulfilling your obligations. As Soldiers, we have obligations we are obligated to defend our nation, obligated to follow lawful orders, and obligated to protect our fellow citizens. Duty requires you to give your all and to do what needs to be done, even when no one is watching.

Fourth, a Soldier is courageous. Courage paired with good judgment tells us when to use strength and when to refrain. It is important to instill courage throughout the entire team; the courage of a few can and will inspire courage in others.
Fifth, an Army runs on integrity. Many think that integrity simple means telling the truth. Integrity also means standing up for what is right and setting the example for others around you to follow. You may face situations in your military careers where you will have to reach deep within yourself to do the right thing. You must do the right thing because your nation expects this of you, and you must demand it of yourself.

Sixth and last, but not least; Soldiers must be loyal. Loyalty is a non-negotiable quality in this profession. Soldiers must be loyal to their country, their Army, their, unit and their teammates. Loyalty means standing with your unit and honoring your obligations in good times and bad. This is the glue that holds everyone together.
The technical and tactical training you receive is only half of what makes a Soldier a good Soldier. Observance of these values selfless-service, respect, duty, courage, integrity and loyalty is essential to the success of your unit, your military and your nation.

Conclusion:
You are the spirit and pride of your nation. Liberians in every corner of this land count on you to protect them and to provide a safe environment in which they can work, go to school, and raise their families. Soldier, here is your chance to make a difference. Build your unitts legacy, follow your colors and observe these good values so that when your fellow citizens see you coming their way they feel protected, secure and proud to be Liberians.

Madam President, thank you again for the invitation to address the fine Soldiers of the Armed Forces of Liberia on this important and historic occasion. I am impressed by all I see and hear from these men and women. I look forward to another visit in the future to see the continued progress of the new Armed Forces of Liberia and the other on-going efforts in the rebirth of this great country.
Thank you all for your attention.