Sept. 24, 2021 DOD Will Continue to Defend U.S. if Government Shuts Down Congress has until Sept. 30 to pass an appropriations bill before government funding lapses, triggering a partial shutdown.
Sept. 7, 2021 U.S. Military Capabilities, Capacity, Alliance Network Made Kabul Evacuation Possible No other military in the world could do what the U.S. military accomplished in evacuating 124,000 people — Americans, Afghans and third country personnel — from Kabul, a senior defense official said.
Sept. 1, 2021 Austin, Milley Honor Courage, Sacrifice of Afghanistan Veterans Leaders of the Defense Department shared their thoughts regarding America's longest war, which recently ended with the last military aircraft evacuation flying out of Kabul, Afghanistan.
Aug. 25, 2021 Secretary of Defense Mandates COVID-19 Vaccinations for Service Members Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III issued a memorandum directing the secretaries of the military departments to immediately begin full vaccination of all members of the department on active duty or in the Guard or Reserve who aren't yet fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Aug. 10, 2021 Services Will Make Call on Religious Exemptions to COVID-19 Vaccines For service members who have religious objections to receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, the path for how they might seek an exception is defined by their individual military service's regulations, Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby said.
Aug. 9, 2021 Austin Seeks Presidential Approval for Mandatory Troop Vaccinations by Mid-September The COVID-19 vaccine will be mandatory for service members by mid-September, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said in a message to the force.
July 12, 2021 After Authority Transition in Afghanistan, Airport Security Remains Top Priority Following a transition of authority for the Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan, a four-pronged mission remains in the country for the U.S. military, Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby said.
June 30, 2021 Rumsfeld Was Nation's Youngest, Oldest Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, who died at age 88, was the only defense secretary who served twice in the role of Pentagon leader and principal assistant to the president on defense matters.
May 7, 2021 Leaders Discuss Initial Sex Assault Review Commission Recommendation The Independent Review Commission on Sexual Assault in the Military has presented initial recommendations to Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III that would take the responsibility of prosecuting sexual assault offenses out of commanders' hands.
April 22, 2021 Defense Secretary Calls Climate Change an Existential Threat The climate crisis is a profoundly destabilizing force for the world, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said at the Leaders Summit on Climate.