U.S. defense secretary speaks to Fayetteville State ROTC: 'I'm absolutely proud of you'
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In a 30-minute visit with members of Fayetteville State University’s ROTC program Friday, the U.S. Secretary of Defense shared words of encouragement with those in attendance.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, whose wife is an FSU alumna, is a former Fort Bragg commander whose military career spans 41 years, he said. Austin is also scheduled to speak at FSU’s undergraduate commencement ceremony Saturday.
During his time with students, Austin said he was excited for the military’s future and for the futures of those in the room.
“We’ve got some great future airmen here, probably some space guardians in the crowd, some future soldiers in the crowd, as well,” he said, smiling. “We have the greatest military on the face of the planet.”
Life lessons
Because members of the ROTC program may one day become military officers, Austin shared a few words of wisdom with attendees Friday.
“In order to be a good leader, you got to learn to follow,” he said. “I think you’re doing some of that now.”
The retired four-star general shared anecdotes from his time in the Army, noting that when he was a three-star general in Iraq, two of his former classmates were two-star generals working under him.
That was an important example of how students in the room must learn to work with each other and learn from those under them, he said.
“The people that you’re going to lead are going to have more experience than you do,” he said.
More: Defense secretary to speak at Fayetteville State
During Austin’s visit, FSU Chancellor Darrell Allison presented him with a coin from the university.“Thank you, I’ll treasure this,” Austin said. “I want to thank you, the faculty and staff for what you’re doing … It sets a great example for the rest of the world to follow.”
Austin spent much of his visit engaging with students by asking individual cadets about their aspirations and hopes.
After an Army cadet said he wanted to serve in the Medical Service Corps because he liked helping people, Austin told the crowd that helping others was what the military is all about.
“I’ve been really amazed at what our teammates are willing to do for each other and what they will do to accomplish the mission,” he said. “Hollywood can’t come close to telling the real story about what we see.”
The secretary highlighted U.S service members' recent evacuation of diplomats from Sudan to Djibouti as an example of the military's courage and commitment to service.
“That’s what this is all about. That’s what you’re about to enter into, and no other profession can give you that kind of rewarding experience, in my view.”
Before departing, Austin, who took no questions, thanked the students for their service.
“I’m absolutely proud of you,” he said. “I’m grateful for what you do, and I look forward to serving alongside some of you.”
Public safety reporter Lexi Solomon can be reached at ABSolomon@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Fayetteville State visited by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin
