U.S. Naval Academy Commencement Address Defense Secretary Leon Panetta spoke to graduating midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy. He praised their service and offered encouragement as they moved to careers in the fleet. He also talked about the future mission of the Navy saying the U.S. was returning to its maritime roots, and that their would strengthen defense ties with China, modernize ties with old allies like Japan and Korea and build new partnerships with countries like Malaysia, Vietnam and Singapore.

He also cited the academy’s diversity, and noted that some midshipmen were openly gay or lesbian. This was the first graduating class at the service academy in which gay students could be open about their sexuality after repeal of the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. close