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- Greeting shipmates.

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In this holiday season as we
steam toward the beginning

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of a new year with welcoming arms

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and a renewed sense of optimism,

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Force Master Chief Kotz

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and I want to personally thank you

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for the many noteworthy achievements

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you've delivered this year.

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As the Reserve Force has
done for over a century,

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you demonstrated strength, flexibility

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and resiliency while
adapting to unforeseen

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and dynamic circumstances.

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Most importantly, you
responded when our Navy

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and our nation needed you.

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Nearly 6,000 of you mobilized in support

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of important missions here
and abroad this past year,

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the largest number since the
2010 surge in Afghanistan.

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- That's right, Sir.

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In fact since March of this year,

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over 3000 citizen sailors were mobilized

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in support of the pandemic
response missions.

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Many were mobilized in less than 72 hours

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to places like Guam, Great
Lakes, New York City,

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and aboard the USNS
Mercy and USNS Comfort.

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And even today, our reserves sailors

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are still in the fight against COVID-19.

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We have over 1200 mobilized
reserve members supporting

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aircraft carrier and submarine maintenance

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at our four public shipyards

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to reduce the maintenance
backlog as a result of COVID-19.

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We have over 100 sailors supporting Navy

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and Marine Corps recruiting

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and well over 200 sailors
providing operational support

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to dozens of Navy and
joint commands globally.

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Truly, this has been an incredible year

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for our Navy Reserve.

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- You know, I couldn't agree more Force.

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I say it almost every day.

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We have much to be proud of

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and yet much more to
do in the coming year.

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I am eager to welcome 2021

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and to shape the focus
of our reserve force

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on generating and delivering
war fighting readiness

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and combat power.

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For each of you, every one of
our precious reserves sailors,

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you're doing great work
and we're counting on you.

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Take this time to celebrate

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and to fully and safely enjoy
the holidays with your family.

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Keep an eye out for your shipmates.

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And even as we aggressively
roll out vaccinations,

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don't let down your guard.

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You must remain vigilant against COVID-19,

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because at the end of the day,

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you and each of your families
are the center of gravity

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of our Navy Reserve,

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and what makes us the most
powerful maritime force

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the world has ever known.

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Thank you for your
patriotism, your hard work

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and your dedication to our great nation.

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We sincerely wish you
the happiest of holidays.