March 17, 2025 Senate confirms new deputy defense secretary Stephen A. Feinberg was sworn in as the Defense Department's 36th deputy defense secretary and will be responsible for DOD's day-to-day business, including executing the defense secretary's priorities and managing the department's budget.
Jan. 28, 2025 Hegseth arrives at Pentagon, says warfighters are 'Ready to Go' Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said improving lethality, warfighting and readiness are the main lines of effort he will pursue while in office.
Jan. 27, 2025 Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth begins 'most important deployment of my life' Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth was sworn into his new role leading America's 3.5 million service members and civilians by Vice President JD Vance.
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.
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.
Aug. 17, 2023 DoD releases actions to transform climate, enhance prevention of harmful behaviors at military service academies In a memo to DoD senior leaders, SecDef Austin noted that while the military service academies are dominant in many domains, they have far more work to do to halt sexual assault and harassment.
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.