By Erika I. Richie
Camp Pendelton – Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus (click here) – an often criticized but progressive leader of the Navy and Marine Corps – visited the seaside base Wednesday for the last time in his nearly eight-year career.
“For me, leading the Department of the Navy is the greatest honor of my life,” Mabus, who announced his plans to retire earlier this year, told the several hundred Marines gathered around him on the parade field.
During a sometimes contentious tenure, Mabus focused on social change and environmental issues. He led a series of energy-saving initiatives for the Marine Corps and Navy, implemented uniform changes to make males and females look more similar, created gender-neutral job titles and extended maternity leave for female service members.
Mabus, 68, talked Wednesday about changes he has seen in the Marine Corps and Navy. And he said he is focused on four key priorities that set the foundation to enable the Navy and Marine Corps to maintain a global presence....Slide show (click here)
