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.
April 14, 2021 Austin Says NATO, U.S. Forces Will Leave Afghanistan, Continue Support to Afghan Forces Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III wholeheartedly supports President Joe Biden's decision to end America's longest war by September 11.
April 1, 2021 Defense Secretary Highlights Commitment to Allies, Partners, Kirby Says Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said that the efforts of the U.S., Japan, Australia and India are important in countering the malign influence of China in the region, Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby said during a briefing today.
March 30, 2021 Extremism Stand Downs Focus on Oath, Not Data Collection The Defense Department's recent stand downs focused on extremism and were all about reintroducing service members and civilians to the oaths they took at the beginning of their careers.
Feb. 22, 2021 Commission Soon to Begin Examining Problem of Sexual Assault in Military A commission to examine the problem of sexual assault in the military should begin work soon, and will have 90 days to compile its recommendations.
Feb. 8, 2021 DOD Leaders Will Address Extremism in the Ranks Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III directed commanding officers and supervisors at all levels to conduct a one-day stand-down with their personnel within the next 60 days to discuss the problem of extremism in the ranks.
Feb. 5, 2021 Defense Personnel to Support FEMA in Vaccination Push Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III announced that 1,110 active duty service members will support five Federal Emergency Management Agency vaccinations centers.
Feb. 3, 2021 Austin Orders Military Stand Down to Address Challenge of Extremism in the Ranks A DOD-wide stand down will occur over the next 60 days so that each service, command and unit can take the time to have needed discussions about extremism in the ranks, Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby said.
Jan. 22, 2021 New Defense Secretary Arrives at Pentagon, Convenes COVID Meeting Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III arrived at the Pentagon today and hit the ground running, greeting the senior staff and then immediately heading into meetings on combating coronavirus.