The Defense Department’s focus on taking care of those in uniform is a critical component for motivating the next generation to serve, a senior Pentagon official said.
Innovation is key to continuing U.S. military might, and the Defense Department is working to make the institution more agile and a good partner for private capital, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks said.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III is expected to personally relay his respects to the families of three soldiers who were killed in an attack by an uncrewed aerial system at a military base in Jordan, a Defense Department official said.
With the recruiting rate for the all-volunteer force declining, defense leaders are asking how the military can connect with and motivate the new generation to serve.
Three U.S. soldiers were killed in Jordan, while more than 40 other service members were injured following an uncrewed aerial system attack at a military base near the Syrian border.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III underscored the United States’ commitment to ensuring NATO’s enduring strength during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the Pentagon.
Infrastructure on many installations has climate, energy and resiliency issues that could impact the continuity of operations and quality of life for service members and their families if not addressed, a DOD energy, installations and environment official said.
The Defense Department remains on track in its initiative to field thousands of autonomous systems across multiple warfighting domains as part of the recently announced Replicator initiative, a senior Pentagon innovation official said.