March 19, 2025 Hegseth Says Air, Space Forces Key to Deterring, Engaging in Future Conflicts Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth remarked on the value of the Air Force and Space Force in both deterring and engaging in future military conflicts while speaking at the Department of the Air Force Summit at Joint Base Andrews, Md.
Jan. 22, 2025 Trump names acting secretary of defense, designates acting service secretaries President Donald J. Trump named Robert Salesses as acting secretary of defense pending the confirmation of Pete Hegseth for the position.
July 10, 2023 Senate Nominations Hold Stalls Hundreds of Military Leader Appointments With the current hold in the Senate on confirming general and flag officers, as many as 650 critical leadership positions might be vacant by year's end, the deputy Pentagon press secretary said.
Oct. 21, 2022 Active duty suicide rate drops; Austin says more work needed The Annual Report on Suicide in the Military for 2021 shows a decrease in the suicide rate for active duty service members and Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III stresses the Department of Defense will not stop working to address the root causes of this issue.
Sept. 22, 2022 Austin pledges to 'ease the load' for service members In a memo titled "Taking Care of Our Service Members and Families," Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III outlined efforts to address the needs of married service members and their families, as well as single service members.
May 31, 2022 Biden Says U.S. Has Sacred Obligation to Fallen Service Members Americans have many obligations, President Joe Biden said. But one of them rises above all others: doing right by the service members who fight on behalf of the United States.
May 31, 2022 Defense secretary: DOD must increase efforts to destigmatize mental health care The White House and the Defense Department have made taking care of military families a priority, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said May 28.
Sept. 28, 2021 Austin, Milley: No Debate About Courage, Commitment of Americans Who Served in Afghanistan How the Afghanistan conflict ended must not obscure the pride Americans should have for the men and women who fought there, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said.
Sept. 28, 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.
Aug. 11, 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.
