McLane said that despite major technological advances over 250 years, the Navy’s decisive strength remains its people and their determination to prevail. “We are the stewards of that legacy—and the architects of what comes next,” he stated, underlining the enduring values of the American Sailor.
He stressed that readiness begins with disciplined Sailors, accountable leaders and cohesive teams built through realistic training.
“Our most profound enduring advantage is not our technology; it is the initiative, the toughness, and the leadership of the American Sailor,” said McLane, adding, “We are investing in that advantage like never before, recognizing that our education must be as cutting-edge as our hardware.”
McLane outlined the Competitive Edge 2.0 strategy as the roadmap for introducing new capabilities, developing modern operational concepts and training personnel for an evolving fleet. “To harness advances in AI, cyber, space, and autonomy, we must move decisively and quickly,” he said, noting, “To drive our competitive edge further, we must process, decide, and adapt faster than any competitor.”
He concluded by recognising the contribution of families to operational readiness and resilience. “The readiness of our force is inseparable from the strength of our families,” McLane said, adding, “Your resilience sustains us, and your belief in our service allows us to focus fully on the task at hand.”
