Adm. Daryl Caudle

NORFOLK, Va.

Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command

31 May 2025

• Good evening Admirals, esteemed guests, Surface Warriors, families, and loved ones!
• Wow, what a turnout! It’s incredible to see the Hampton Roads Surface community gathered here tonight. You truly represent what our Navy is all about.
• I’d like to thank and congratulate the Surface Warrior Ball committee for volunteering their countless hours invested in this event to make sure it was a homerun!
• I’m honored that Rear Admiral Cahill asked me to speak this evening…you could have picked from a plethora of our senior admirals who wear a SWO pin, yet you picked a submariner – someone from outside your community who cut his teeth stalking surface ships from under the waves. That’s a bold move, Joe!
• It was a magnanimous gesture, and hopefully by tonight’s end, I can put a dent in the stereotype that submariners are boring, are complete introverts, lack with-it-ness, are shifty and sneaky, compete with unfair tactics, and cornered the market on the best-looking spouses.  Okay, maybe a stretch – but I’ll do my best.
• That’s why tonight we’re putting all our friendly competition aside to celebrate the achievements of our incredible Surface Warfare community and their proud legacy.
• I’ve seen so many familiar faces here tonight, and more importantly, a lot of new ones too.
• It’s tremendous to see the future, a very bright future, of the Surface Navy in all our junior Sailors and officers here tonight, with the fiery passion of surface warfare burning bright in their eyes - carrying on the torch of their fine legacy.
• So, let’s hear it for our Surface Warriors – both past and present – the backbone of our great Navy!
• And what a year to celebrate! 250 years of the United States Navy – that’s two and a half centuries of unwavering service, unmatched dedication, and unparalleled maritime dominance.
• When you look back at that history, the Surface Force hasn’t just been there every step of the way, they made every step of the way – laying the foundations of our success and most significant accomplishments.
• Your community has the unique distinction of being the only naval warfare area that dates all the way back to our Navy’s founding – or as they say on the Netflix streaming shows that Donna and I binge on - our Navy’s “O-Gs.”
• From the frigates of wood and sail during the Revolution to the steel behemoths that controlled the Atlantic and dominated the Pacific in World War II, Surface Warriors have always been on the front lines, taking the hits, controlling the sea lanes, and delivering the knockout punch.
• They do this with the mastery of bridge watchstanders, combat system operators, engineering teams, technicians, and support teams who integrate in such an effective way.
• They combine into a united effort, keeping the ships moving through the water, keeping the guns firing, and keeping our Sailors safe.
• I think back to John Paul Jones, sailing fast into harm’s way to take on the H-M-S Serapis.
• He knew what was at stake, he knew the odds were stacked against him, but he never gave up, chasing down the British with grit and tenacity.
• I think about the Battle of the Atlantic in World War II. Our warships standing toe-to-toe with the Nazi U-boat fleet, shepherding flocks of vulnerable merchants carrying critical supplies and equipment to our Allies and deployed troops.  In fact, I just made Donna watch Grey Hound with me again.
• These fearless ships were outnumbered, tasked to protect massive convoys, ones that should have required three to four times the number of protection vessels.
• They never hesitated to plunge headfirst into danger to protect their flock, masters of their craft, and shoot it out to the last ship standing.
• They turned the tide of the war. It was a testament to their training, their leadership, and their unwavering commitment to victory.
• These are the stories that define our Surface Navy.
• These are the stories that inspire us.
• And these are the stories we need to keep telling.
• I want every Surface Warrior to know their history, know their heritage, and know the sacrifices that have been made to get us where we are today.
• It’s not just about knowing the battles, it’s about understanding the values, the principles, and the traditions that have guided our Fleet for 250 years.
• It’s the courage under fire, brilliant innovation, and relentless “knife-in-the-teeth” toughness that comprise the Surface Warrior spirit and ethos.
• That’s the legacy that you inherited. The legacy you continue to build. And let me tell you, it’s a legacy worth fighting for.
• It gives our adversaries significant pause. They know our Surface Forces don’t back down from a fight, they don’t shy away from a challenge, and they never give up the ship.
• That’s what makes our Surface Forces the best in the world. Full stop. No close second.
• And it’s what will enable us to retain our absolute maritime dominance for the next 250 years.

 
 

• Now, let’s be honest, the challenges we face in today’s world are only increasing in scope and size.
• The People’s Republic of China has openly demonstrated both intent and capability to invade Taiwan, signaled through escalating rhetoric and increasingly complex joint exercises.
• Their strategic ambition is unmistakable: rewrite the rules in the Indo-Pacific, expand influence through illegitimate claims in the South China Sea and the Arctic, and undermine the rules-based international order.
• While deterring PRC aggression remains a central pillar of our strategy, we must not accept any risk to the homeland. There can be no chinks in the armor that protects the American people.
• Our edge must not be dulled by tunnel vision. As one adversary escalates, others watch—and wait to exploit distraction when they think we’re looking the other way.
• Make no mistake—China, Russia, North Korea, Iran, and violent extremist organizations are increasingly coordinating across domains and theaters, aligned against our values and institutions.
• From joint air and maritime operations to sanctions evasion and weapons transfers, these regimes are acting more in step, collaborating, cooperating, aiding and abetting each other to destabilize the world order and erode the influence of our levers of national power.
• With complex challenges like these on every front, once again, it’s the Surface Force that’s leading the way.
• You’re standing the watch, day in and day out, in distant waters far from our homeland shores with mastery, courage, and unwavering determination.
• You’re sailing alongside partner navies around the globe, strengthening our relationships, reassuring our allies and deterring our adversaries.
• There is no symbol as strong as our gray hulls on the horizon to demonstrate to the world that America is a force for good, a force for stability, and – most importantly - a force that will send you to the bottom.
• Our Surface Warriors sail forth, capable of delivering overwhelmingly lethal effects at the timing and tempo our choosing – yes, we set the pace.
• And if anyone wants to try and catch us, good luck! – Because we own the maritime domain.
• Yet, in an environment where our competitors are attempting to close the gap, I am also cognizant that we must never be satisfied.
• We must always strive to be better … as warriors, to execute with more mastery, more proficiency, and more self-sufficiency.
• I see our Surface Warriors leading the charge by bracing new technologies, adapting and experimenting with new tactics, new doctrine, and refining their warfighting skills to meet the ever-changing demands of 21st century threats.
• But let me tell you something, technology alone won’t be enough.
• Because at the end of the day, no matter how exquisite the capability, for every missile that destroys a threat, for every aircraft launched, for every engine that revs into high gear to chase down the bad guys, none of that happens without a Sailor making it happen.
• It’s the men and women who ensure our ships are ready, who operate the systems with peerless expertise, who push the button or pull a trigger to put all that technology to work, delivering the knockout punch.
• Without them, all these capabilities are just expensive metal – subject to corrosion and material failure.
• That’s why our Sailors are our greatest enduring, competitive advantage – the key to unbridled overmatch over any potential adversaries or strategic competitor.
• They’re masters. They’re innovators. And they’re leaders. All we need to do is give them the tools and then get out of their way!
• You should all be looking at your crews the same way. When we trust them, support them, break down barriers for them, and empower them to make decisions, our Surface Warriors will never let us down.
• Our nation demands of us that we remain ready to adapt to any situation, to respond quickly to any threat, and to work seamlessly with our partners across the Navy and the Department of Defense.
• We will not back down from our objective to deter aggression around the globe – and we will fight victoriously should that deterrence fail.
• It’s our Surface Warriors who will underwrite the risk that the U.S. Navy takes … by being ready to answer the call, whenever and wherever it may come.
• That’s our mission. That’s our responsibility. And that’s exactly what we’re going to do.
• As I bring my remarks to a close and as we celebrate 250 years of the United States Navy, I urge you to think about that noble legacy that weighs upon your shoulders.
• Let us honor our past, defend our present, and forge a future worthy of those who came before us.
• We are all part of something bigger than ourselves, something that has been around for 250 years, and something that will continue to endure for generations to come.
• And tonight, I couldn’t be more excited to celebrate that legacy, those accomplishments, and our future with you.
• I truly can’t say it enough – as it was then, it is now – our Surface Force remains the most lethal, capable, and feared combat force in the world – and for good reason. What we bring to bear cannot be replicated by anyone, anywhere.
• I know for a fact, and it is indisputable, that the future of the Surface Force is on the right course – and that is because of what you and your families do every day.
• Donna and I are proud of each and every one of you – we can’t thank you enough for inviting us to share in this wonderful occasion – and we sincerely hope that you all have an amazing time tonight.
• Thank you, and may God bless the United States of America!
• Now let’s get this party going! Who’s with me?