President Joe Biden selected Lloyd James Austin III, a retired four-star general with a precedent-setting 41-year military career, to oversee the four branches of the military and serve as the nation’s principal defense advisor.
Prior to becoming the first African American person to serve as U.S. Secretary of Defense, Austin, recipient of the Silver Star, held high-profile, high-pressure positions throughout his military career. Among those was vice chief of staff of the Army from 2012–13 and 12th commander of United States Central Command (CENTCOM) from 2013–16. He was the first African American person to hold those positions.
A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Austin earned two master’s degrees. He also attended the Army Command and General Staff College and the Army War College. Those acquainted with him note that his educational experiences helped shape his leadership style.
In a March memorandum to all Department of Defense (DoD) employees, Austin wrote about growing talent, building resilience and readiness and ensuring accountable leadership, including addressing issues of sexual harassment and assault.
“We maintain and enhance force readiness and develop the capabilities we need to protect America when we fully embrace a diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and thought,” he wrote. “The Department will lead with our values, building diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) into all aspects of our work and in everything we do. Inclusivity will drive innovative solutions across the enterprise and create a constructive environment in which every person has the space to contribute fully.”
Education
Austin delivered the commencement address at West Point this past May.
