{"id":25926,"date":"2021-08-18T19:03:47","date_gmt":"2021-08-18T19:03:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2021\/08\/18\/new-secnav-lays-out-his-priorities-for-the-navy-and-marine-corps\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T19:27:05","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T19:27:05","slug":"new-secnav-lays-out-his-priorities-for-the-navy-and-marine-corps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/smr\/energy-and-environment\/2021\/08\/18\/new-secnav-lays-out-his-priorities-for-the-navy-and-marine-corps\/","title":{"rendered":"New SECNAV lays out his priorities for the Navy and Marine Corps"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The 78th secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro, who as sworn in Aug. 9, released a message to the fleet<\/a> laying out the \u201cfour Cs\u201d that the former officer sees as vital challenges to the department: China, culture, climate and COVID.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the Aug. 10 message, Del Toro echoed other military leaders in warning of China\u2019s ascendance and its goal of challenging U.S. military superiority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe will not let this happen,\u201d he wrote. \u201cWe will deter China\u2019s aggression, protect our national security and preserve the peace.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to culture, Del Toro wrote that \u201cevery Sailor and Marine of all races, genders, religions and ethnicities must treat one another with dignity and respect,\u201d and that such behavior ensures combat readiness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He called climate change an issue that \u201cexacerbates every challenge we face, from naval installations to frequent deployments.<\/p>\n\n\n\t