Vice-Admiral Art McDonald said the change was "far from symbolic" and was instead to make the navy more "inclusive and welcoming."
The United States Department of Defense confirmed Friday evening the creation of a task force to analyze and understand the "nature and origins" of Unidentified Aerial Phenomenons (UAP), also known to the public as unidentified flying objects.
"What this will do is ensure a safe environment so there is no double entendre," Gates said. "We want to make sure our most junior members understand and feel safe when they are being called their rank."
Footage was captured three times, first in 2004, again in 2014, and a third video is from 2015. The 2004 footage has been circulating online since 2007.
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