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Secretary of Defense has authority to order mandatory COVID-19 shots
November 16, 2021 — The Secretary of Defense has the authority needed to order all members of the military – including the National Guard – to receive COVID-19 vaccinations, said Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby... MORE

Two soldiers wearing face masks and gloves use syringes to draw medicine from a small bottle.

Following report, DOD to redouble suicide prevention efforts
October 1, 2021 — Due to the "troubling" findings from the Defense Department Annual Suicide Report, the DOD will redouble its efforts to provide care and resources for all who need it and will work to reduce stigmas and barriers to care, the secretary of defense said... MORE

DOD leaders address Bagram departure, noncombatant evacuation operation timing
September 30, 2021 — Following the U.S. departure from Afghanistan, some questioned the handover of Bagram Air Base. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said maintaining a presence there would not have helped the U.S. mission during the waning days of the 20-year war. ... MORE

Three men sit behind a long table. The wall behind them is covered by paintings and seals.

Defense Department outlines strategy to thwart sexual assault in military
September 23, 2021 — The Department of Defense announced its strategy as approved by the secretary of defense to act on the recommendations of the 90-day Independent Review Commission on Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment in the Military. ... MORE

Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen H. Hicks briefs reporters at the Pentagon.

Services will make call on religious exemptions to COVID-19 vaccines
August 12, 2021 — 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 Aug. 10... MORE

Hands hold a COVID-19 vaccine record card.

Biden to approve SECDEF's request to make COVID-19 vaccine mandatory
August 10, 2021 — 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. ... MORE

SECDEF seeks presidential approval for mandatory troop vaccinations by mid-September
August 9, 2021 — 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... MORE

Austin approves plan to transfer authority, retrograde should be done by end of August
July 6, 2021 — Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III approved a plan to transfer authority from Army Gen. Austin S. Miller to Marine Corps Gen. Frank McKenzie as part of the drawdown process from Afghanistan, Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby said... MORE

Sexual assaults will no longer be prosecuted by commanders
July 6, 2021 — 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... MORE

DOD budget request boosts research, nuclear modernization, includes 2.7% pay raise
May 28, 2021 — 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... MORE

A helicopter flies while a crew member inside the helicopter prepares an emergency re-supply drop.

Defense leaders to discuss sex assault review commission recommendation
May 7, 2021 — 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... MORE

Two men at lecterns as reporters ask questions.

Austin says NATO, U.S. Forces will leave Afghanistan, continue support to Afghan forces
April 15, 2021 — Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III wholeheartedly supports President Joe Biden's decision to end America's longest war by September 11. ... MORE

A man in business attire stands at a lectern with microphones and U.S. and NATO flags behind him.

Commission soon to begin examining problem of sexual assault in military
February 23, 2021 — 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... MORE

DOD announces use of masks, other public health measures
February 5, 2021 — Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III signed a memo Feb. 4 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, to wear masks in accordance with the most current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines... MORE

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III has ordered a DOD-wide stand down to discuss the problem of extremism in the ranks, Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby said Feb. 3.

Secretary of Defense orders military stand down to address challenge of extremism in the ranks
February 4, 2021 — A Department of Defense-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 Feb. 3... MORE

New Defense Secretary arrives at Pentagon, convenes COVID meeting
January 22, 2021 — Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III arrived at the Pentagon Jan. 22 and hit the ground running, greeting the senior staff and then immediately heading into meetings on combating coronavirus... MORE

Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III stands next to a man holding up his right hand facing another man.

Service members, civilians bound by DOD rules during election campaigns
September 8, 2020 — Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper's latest ethics message lays out the importance of political activity rules that Department of Defense civilian employees and service members must follow. ... MORE

James Brady, 14th Force Support Squadron community readiness specialist and installation voting assistance officer, talks with Air Force Staff Sgt. Cory Henning, 14th Civil Engineer Squadron, during Armed Forces Voters Week in the base exchange on Columbus Air Force Base, Miss., June 27, 2018. Though federal election years have a large effect on the voting community and activity, elections are happening across the country every year.

Trump, Esper, Milley commemorate WWII victory in Europe
May 8, 2020 — 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... MORE

The United States joins other nations in celebrating V-E Day, the official surrender of Nazi Germany on May 8, 1945, marking the end of the war in Europe during World War II.

Defense Secretary lists DOD's top priorities during COVID-19 pandemic
March 25, 2020 — Protecting the Defense Department's people, maintaining military readiness and supporting the whole-of-government interagency response are DOD's top three priorities amid the coronavirus pandemic, Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper said March 24. ... MORE

DOD halts travel to, from COVID-19 affected countries
March 12, 2020 — In response to the growing coronavirus epidemic, Department of Defense officials are looking to safeguard the health and safety of military and civilian personnel and their families... MORE

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said that the coronavirus, named 2019-nCoV, is similar to the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus in that it is spread from animals to people. The MERS virus particles are in blue, surrounding an infected cell. The undated image was taken at Fort Detrick, Maryland.