Lloyd Austin, a retired four-star Army general, has been confirmed by the Senate, making him the first Black secretary of defense in U. The Senate approved President Biden's nomination for Pentagon chief in a near-unanimous 93 to 2 vote. Austin's nomination was approved despite concerns raised on both sides of the aisle that he hadn't been out of uniform for the legally mandated seven-year period.
The National Security Act of created the rule to ensure civilian control over the military is maintained, but also permits a waiver if lawmakers in both the House and the Senate approve. The subordination of military power to the civil," Austin, 67, said during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday.
He also attempted to allay fears of some committee members who raised concerns of setting dangerous precedent by allowing two defense secretaries waivers in four years.
He promised to surround himself with "experienced, capable civilian leaders" and to hire a chief of staff who "will not be a military person. Austin becomes just the third Pentagon chief to serve after receiving a waiver. Jim Mattis, former President Donald Trump's first defense secretary in Austin served more than 40 years in the Army, and headed U. Central Command. He designed and executed the campaign that ultimately beat back ISIS, helping to build a coalition of partners and allies from more than 70 countries who worked together to overcome a common enemy.
I respect and believe in the importance of civilian control of our military and in the importance of a strong civil-military working relationship at DoD—as does Austin. Austin also knows that the secretary of defense has a different set of responsibilities than a general officer and that the civil-military dynamic has been under great stress these past four years. He will work tirelessly to get it back on track. Moreover, we need leaders like Lloyd Austin who understand that our military is only one instrument of our national security.
Keeping America strong and secure demands that we draw on all our tools. He and I share a commitment to empowering our diplomats and development experts to lead our foreign policy, using force only as our last resort.
The threats we face today are not the same as those we faced 10 or even five years ago. We must prepare to meet the challenges of the future, not keep fighting the wars of the past. We must build a foreign policy that leads with diplomacy and revitalizes our alliances, putting American leadership back at the table and rallying the world to meet global threats to our security—from pandemics to climate change, from nuclear proliferation to the refugee crisis. Lloyd Austin, as part of our diverse national-security leadership team that reflects the lived experiences of all Americans, will be an essential part of this work.
He shares my profound belief that the United States is strongest when we lead not only with the example of our power, but with the power of our example. He knows what is at stake, and he knows how much work lies ahead. And I know that, under his leadership, the Department of Defense will never fail to advance the security of the American people in ways that honor our highest values and ideals. Skip to content Site Navigation The Atlantic. Martha McSally would also bring a very distinguished military and political background to the Pentagon.
A graduate of the Air Force Academy, she served 22 years in the Air Force, retiring with the rank of colonel. She was the first female fighter pilot to fly in combat and to command a fighter squadron.
Before being appointed to the Senate in to replace Sen. John Kyl, she served four years in the House of Representatives, but she lost her Senate bid. In Congress her committee assignments have included Armed Services. But assuming that, based on their experiences, these four members of Congress would bring as much or more credentials than most of the 27 men who have held that post for the past 73 years. William Cohen, R-Minn. Lawrence Korb is a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress and served as assistant secretary of defense under President Ronald Reagan.
If you would like to respond, or have an editorial of your own you would like to submit, please contact Military Times managing editor Howard Altman, haltman militarytimes. By Lawrence J. Nov 8, Master Sgt.
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