Outgoing Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro visited Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, engaging with Marines, sailors and civilians alike.
At a town hall Wednesday, a proud, emotional Del Toro reinforced that serving as secretary has been a privilege, thanking service members for their dedication and sacrifices, and touting the values that he sees as critical to success.
“Each and every one of you, regardless of rank, is a leader in the Marine Corps,” Del Toro said to a tight circle of hundreds of Marines and sailors from Marine Aircraft Groups 11 and 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
“Your primary responsibility is to take care of each other, to treat each other with dignity and respect. One day, you’ll find yourself perhaps in conflict or in a dangerous peacetime operation, and in order for you to succeed, you have to trust your fellow Marines.”
Del Toro, who arrived Tuesday, fielded questions on a range of topics from mental health and resilience programs to prioritizing quality-of-life initiatives, while also addressing the future operating environment and readiness. He highlighted his priorities, including relationships with allies and partners.
“It matters,” he emphasized. “What you do matters.”
Del Toro also toured the barracks alongside Lt. Gen. Michael Cederholm, commanding general of I Marine Expeditionary Force, and Maj. Gen. James Wellons, commanding general of 3rd MAW.
One focus of the visit was the Barracks 360 Reset Initiative, a I MEF and Marine Corps Installations West program designed to enhance living conditions and operational readiness, including increasing command oversight, reducing maintenance backlogs and fostering shared ownership of barracks facilities.
More than 15,000 Marines and sailors are stationed at MCAS Miramar, many of whom reside on base in barracks or base housing.
During his final town hall of the morning, which included Marines of Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 3, Marine Air Control Group 38, Del Toro conducted an on-the-spot reenlistment for Cpl. Regis Bayou, an aircraft maintenance support equipment technician with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 16, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd MAW.
A native of Ivory Coast, Bayou enlisted in the Marine Corps in January 2022. The secretary also presented challenge coins to 10 Marines, one sailor and one civilian, recognizing their achievements and contributions.
The secretary’s wife, Betty, toured the air station, including stops at the air traffic control tower, Single Marine Program facilities and the MCAS Miramar Youth Program and Child Development Center.
Del Toro, who served in the Navy for 22 years and retired as a commander, has been Secretary of the Navy since 2021. John Phelan, founder of a private equity firm, is President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to succeed him. He has no military experience.
