"Any sailor, regardless of background, race, gender, or sexual preference, has the opportunity to go as far as they can in this great Navy..."

"The promise from Navy leadership in this meritocracy is that any Sailor, regardless of background, race, gender, or sexual preference, has the opportunity to go as far as they can in this great Navy based on their work ethic, intelligence, aptitude, and commitment."

--Commander Tate Westbrook, at the commissioning ceremony for the Navy destroyer USS Spruance.