in 20, heoining us served for over 36 years in the u.s., attaining the rank of general and to save on time i will not list are many appointments. i would just introduce general ford. [applause] >> thank you. > the to qualify the record that i retired as lieutenant general. thank you for making your way over to heritage this morning. recently the army has begun to land a new vision that includes a priority on modernization programs that deliver on time. a talent management system that incorporates more flexibility and a focus on improving readiness for high intensity can't. all this with a backdrop of the release of the national defense strategy calling for renewed emphasis on great power competition and turning away from a decade and a half of counterinsurgency operations. finally, last month, congress provided two years of increased and predictable funding which will allow the military to start rebuilding. the implications of these events, we are honored to welcome back to heritage dr. mark esper, the 23rd secretary of the army. onretary esper was sworn in november 20, giving him jus