A MARINE IS A MARINE IS, A MARINE REGARDLESS OF RACE OR GENDER, IT'S ALL ABOUT THEIR TRAINING, LEADERSHIP AND MENTORSHIP.  OUR YOUNGSTERS ARE AS GOOD NOW AS THEY'VE EVER BEEN, AND WRITING NEW CHAPTERS IN OUR CORPS' HISTORY BOOKS.  THEY ARE READY TO MEET THE UNCERTAIN CHALLENGES OF THE 21ST CENTURY.  BUT GOOD SOUND LEADERSHIP REMAINS THE WATCH WORD OF OUR FUTURE.  TREAT THEM ALL WITH FIRMNESS, FAIRNESS, DIGNITY AND COMPASSION, FOR THEY DESERVE NOTHING LESS FROM US.  I LEAVE THESE ACTIVE RANKS TODAY A MUCH BETTER MAN FOR HAVING SERVED WITH ALL OF YOU.  SEMPER FIDELIS