Secretary of the Navy Delivers Government Keynote During I/ITSEC 2024

By Shane Klestinski, Associate Editor

 

Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro provided the government keynote address during opening ceremonies for this year’s Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 3.

 

I/ITSEC is the world’s largest modeling, simulation and training (MS&T) event that occurs every year during the week immediately after Thanksgiving. It draws thousands of MS&T professionals to the Orange County Convention Center, to include high-ranking civilian and military government officials, C-suite industry executives, and senior academics from leading research institutions.

 

Del Toro immigrated from Cuba as a refugee with his family in 1962. He grew up in New York City and later graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy. During his 22-year Navy career, he served in numerous sea duty assignments. He eventually became special assistant to the director and deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget, wherein he helped manage the budgets of several significant government institutions, such as the Department of Defense (DOD), the State Department, and the CIA, among others. Upon retirement, Del Toro ran a small business for 17 years that provided services for the DOD and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Most recently, President Joe Biden selected him to serve as the 78th secretary of the Navy.

 

Near the beginning of his address, Del Toro explained that his mission as secretary of the Navy involved providing combat-ready forces and capabilities to all combatant commanders around the world in support of the secretary of defense and the president. He went on to emphasize that “standing still is not an option for our military services, today or ever,” and said that the Navy has become much more innovative than in the past.

 

“When I came in as secretary, two organizations that we stood up right away [were the] Marine Innovation Unit [and] the Destructive Capabilities Office that immediately contributed significantly to our replicator effort,” Del Toro said. “Both of those, I think, are indicators of how senior leaders, both uniformed and civilian in the Pentagon, are trying to bring technology to the warfighter in an expedited manner – but there’s a lot more that need to be done – and we’ll be looking at you, here in this room, to do that.”

 

Del Toro advised attendees to embrace a “mindset of progress,” encouraged developing a culture of innovation, and emphasized the need for a strong Navy and Marine Corps to protect the nation and its interests. He listed examples where the Navy is operating to ensure the safety of civilian mariners and protect commercial shipping with NATO allies, particularly in the Middle East. Del Toro also recognized the significance of what those in his audience did in the bigger picture.

 

“The role that you play today in terms of supporting our national defense is as critical as the role that was played 50, 40 and 30 years ago by engineers and business folks similar to you as they were developing the Aegis combat weapon system,” Del Toro said. “Today, we deploy around the world… and without that Aegis weapon system and the spy radar that goes along with it, we would not be able to protect our sailors and Marines the way we do, and we would not be able to defend our nation the way we do. So, don’t ever think the role you play is miniscule in any way – it is extremely important.”

 

He went on to outline “three enduring priorities” he established when he became secretary that continue to serve as the basis for the Navy’s efforts: strengthening maritime dominance, building a culture of warfighting excellence, and enhancing strategic partnerships.

 

“Enhancing strategic partnerships incorporates not only naval diplomacy across our oceans and relationships at sea, but crucially, our partnerships with those within the defense ecosphere and academia,” Del Toro said. “We’re fundamentally reliant on industry, on you, on academia, to maintain our warfighting edge, and industry is building and delivering mission-ready platforms and technology to our Navy and Marine Corps.”

 

Del Toro will soon relinquish his post to a new Navy secretary in January 2025, which will constitute his de facto, second retirement from the Navy. Del Toro’s speech provided an emotional highpoint to end I/ITSEC’s opening ceremonies when he noticeably paused for a few seconds while saying it had been the honor of his lifetime to serve with nearly 1 million sailors and Marines as their secretary.

 

I/ITSEC attendees gave Del Toro a standing ovation after he completed the formal portion of his address. He took one question afterward, which was the same question posed to participants of a senior leader panel earlier that morning: What advice would he give to a recent college graduate?

 

“You’ve got to follow your passion,” Del Toro said, echoing Navy Vice Adm. Daniel Cheever’s response during the previous discussion. “Without it, you just won’t be effective at what you do – and yes, you need to have a ‘plan B’ as well.”

 

Before the session ended, Del Toro thanked his wife for the support she provided during his several years of naval service (as well as all spouses of active-duty members), and he extended his appreciation to the MS&T community for their work that supported the DOD and its personnel. His final words before leaving the stage: “Go Navy, beat Army.”