News

Sept. 13, 2024
Department Announces Latest Efforts to Improve Quality of Life for Service Members

The Defense Department announced a new series of initiatives aimed at improving the welfare and well-being of service members and their families.
May 1, 2024
DOD's FY 2025 budget focuses on defense, people, teamwork

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III told lawmakers the Department of Defense budget request centers on defending the nation, taking care of service members and their families, and strengthening relationships with like-minded U.S. partners and allies.
Oct. 28, 2022
DOD releases National Defense Strategy, missile defense, nuclear posture reviews

The 2022 National Defense Strategy places a primary focus on the need to sustain and strengthen U.S. deterrence against China and advances a focus on collaboration with a growing network of U.S. allies and partners on shared objectives.
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. 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 6, 2021
Sexual assaults will no longer be prosecuted by commanders

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III accepted all of the recommendations of an independent review commission that proposed an array of changes in how the Department of Defense and the services that fall under it will handle sexual assaults.
May 28, 2021
DOD budget request boosts research, nuclear modernization, includes 2.7% pay raise

The fiscal year 2022 Defense Department budget request includes the largest-ever research, development, test and evaluation request — $112 billion, which is a 5.1% increase over fiscal 2021.
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.