In Farewell Message, Wormuth Lauds ‘Combined’ Team
In Farewell Message, Wormuth Lauds ‘Combined’ Team

In a farewell message, outgoing Army Secretary Christine Wormuth praised the force for making strides to transform the Army while meeting missions at home and around the world.
“Together, we achieved the most substantial modernization of our offensive and defensive systems in the last forty years, effectively using resources and new authorities to equip our soldiers with vital warfighting capabilities,” Wormuth writes. “We envisioned and are now implementing significant changes to our force structure, ensuring the Army is prepared for large-scale combat against advanced adversaries.”
The “combined military and civilian team” also improved quality of life for soldiers and their families by constructing new barracks and daycare centers, piloting new dining options and providing more time for new parents, the message says.
The Army also “navigated a profound recruiting crisis, transformed our recruiting enterprise, and set the Army on a path to rebuild its end strength,” Wormuth writes.
Sworn in on May 27, 2021, Wormuth made history by becoming the first woman to serve as the Army’s top civilian leader. During her tenure, Wormuth oversaw the Army’s $185 billion budget and was responsible for decisions impacting nearly 1 million soldiers and 330,000 Army civilians.
She brought to the job more than 25 years of experience in defense and national security policy, including serving as undersecretary of defense for policy and senior director for defense at the National Security Council. Before becoming Army secretary, Wormuth was director of the International Defense and Security Center at the Rand Corp.
As she leaves office Jan. 20, Wormuth writes, she will carry with her cherished memories made while traveling the force and meeting with soldiers, families and civilian employees.
“My time as Secretary has affirmed for me that people are what sets the Army apart and makes us the best Army in the world,” she writes. “I will miss the responsibility that comes with being in the arena, but I will miss the Army and our people so much more.”
Serving as the 25th secretary of the Army has been the “greatest honor of my professional life,” she writes. “It has been a privilege and adventure to serve with you, working to make our Army better, stronger, and more lethal.”
See her message here.