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Joe Biden applauds more inclusive military in West Point graduation speech Joe Biden applauds more inclusive military in West Point graduation speech
(4 months later)
Joe Biden told the United States Military Academy’s class of 2016 on Saturday that greater diversity, including more women and openly gay soldiers, will strengthen the country’s armed forces.Joe Biden told the United States Military Academy’s class of 2016 on Saturday that greater diversity, including more women and openly gay soldiers, will strengthen the country’s armed forces.
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“Having men and women together in the battlefield is an incredible asset, particularly when they’re asked to lead teams in parts of the world with fundamentally different expectations and norms,” the vice-president said, in his speech at a graduation ceremony at Michie Stadium on the West Point grounds, along the Hudson river.“Having men and women together in the battlefield is an incredible asset, particularly when they’re asked to lead teams in parts of the world with fundamentally different expectations and norms,” the vice-president said, in his speech at a graduation ceremony at Michie Stadium on the West Point grounds, along the Hudson river.
More than 950 cadets received their degrees and commissions as second lieutenants. Among them were the first seven women to be commissioned into combat divisions since combat restrictions for them were lifted.More than 950 cadets received their degrees and commissions as second lieutenants. Among them were the first seven women to be commissioned into combat divisions since combat restrictions for them were lifted.
Biden saluted class president Eugene “EJ” Coleman, for publicly coming out as gay.Biden saluted class president Eugene “EJ” Coleman, for publicly coming out as gay.
Before the repeal of the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy in 2010, Biden said, “EJ would have been discharged from the army and we would have lost an incredible talent.Before the repeal of the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy in 2010, Biden said, “EJ would have been discharged from the army and we would have lost an incredible talent.
“Thanks for your courage, EJ, and I expect we’re going to hear big things from you, pal.”“Thanks for your courage, EJ, and I expect we’re going to hear big things from you, pal.”
This week, the Senate confirmed the Obama administration’s choice for army secretary, the openly gay Eric Fanning.This week, the Senate confirmed the Obama administration’s choice for army secretary, the openly gay Eric Fanning.
Biden also warned the graduating class that it was facing a vast range of complex challenges, including battling Islamic State extremists, containing outbreaks of contagious diseases and defending against cyber-attacks.Biden also warned the graduating class that it was facing a vast range of complex challenges, including battling Islamic State extremists, containing outbreaks of contagious diseases and defending against cyber-attacks.
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“Whenever the stakes are highest, we turn to the United States army,” he said. “Whether it’s fighting terrorism, training our partners, reassuring our allies or providing humanitarian relief, we call on you.“Whenever the stakes are highest, we turn to the United States army,” he said. “Whether it’s fighting terrorism, training our partners, reassuring our allies or providing humanitarian relief, we call on you.
“And right now, the stakes could not be higher.”“And right now, the stakes could not be higher.”
Biden singled out cyber-attacks as a growing threat that could allow American enemies to knock out the nation’s power grid or disable satellite systems.Biden singled out cyber-attacks as a growing threat that could allow American enemies to knock out the nation’s power grid or disable satellite systems.
“The bad thing about advanced technology is that it gives immense powers to stateless actors,” Biden said.“The bad thing about advanced technology is that it gives immense powers to stateless actors,” Biden said.
He added: “You’ll need to dominate the cyber realm as you do the physical one.”He added: “You’ll need to dominate the cyber realm as you do the physical one.”