News

Aug. 10, 2021
SECDEF requests mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for military

By mid-September, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III will request a waiver from President Joe Biden to make the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory for service members, Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby said.
March 18, 2021
SEAC: DOD Will 'Move Fast' Against Extremism After Completion of Stand Downs

The services must complete a military-wide stand down to conduct training on and discussion of extremism in the ranks with every service member by April 1, a task assigned in early February by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III.
Feb. 5, 2021
DOD announces use of masks and other public health measures

Today, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III signed a memo that, effective immediately, directs all individuals on military installations and all individuals performing official duties on behalf of the Department from any location other than the individual’s home, including outdoor shared spaces,
July 15, 2020
Top DOD Officials to Hold Virtual Town Hall Meeting

Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper; Army Gen. Mark A. Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman Ramón "CZ" Colón-López will hold a virtual global town hall meeting at the Pentagon to answer questions from service members, Defense Department civilians
May 8, 2020
Trump, Esper, Milley Commemorate WWII Victory in Europe

President Donald J. Trump; Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper; and Army Gen. Mark A. Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the World War II Memorial in Washington to commemorate Victory in Europe Day.
May 5, 2020
DOD Remains Flexible, Agile in Face of Coronavirus

Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper and Army Gen. Mark A. Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, discussed the latest Defense Department response to the COVID-19 pandemic during a news conference at the Pentagon.
May 4, 2020
Esper Discusses DOD Readiness Amid Pandemic

Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper held a virtual conversation with the Brookings Institution to discuss defense policy and readiness amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
April 9, 2020
Top DOD Officials Discuss COVID-19 in Virtual Town Hall Meeting

Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper; Army Gen. Mark A. Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman Ramón "CZ" Colón-López answered questions about COVID-19 during a virtual global town hall at the Pentagon.
May 17, 2017
Mattis welcomes new SecAF home

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis ceremoniously swore in Heather Wilson as the 24th Secretary of the Air Force at the Pentagon May 16, 2017.
Jan. 23, 2017
Mattis Takes Oath as 26th Defense Secretary

By a 98-1 vote, the Senate confirmed retired Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis to be the 26th secretary of defense, and Vice President Michael R. Pence administered his oath of office shortly afterward.