WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin delivered an emotional farewell to the troops he has led throughout a dynamic and challenging period, which included three significant military crises, a worldwide pandemic, and a personal encounter with cancer that sparked discussions about its management.
During a ceremony at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Austin celebrated his military personnel as the “most lethal fighting force on Earth.” He expressed pride in their achievements over the past four years, stating, “We’ve stood up to our rivals, weakened our foes, strengthened our allies, and made the right choices for our people.”
In his speech, Austin subtly advised his successor that the role of Pentagon chief requires “calm, judgment, and humility,” highlighting the stresses and challenges that come with the position. He cautioned against any efforts by the incoming administration to dismiss so-called “woke” generals who support diversity initiatives or to exclude women and transgender individuals from military service. “Any military that turns away qualified patriots eager to serve is just making itself smaller and weaker,” he asserted.
At 71 years old, Austin has dedicated 41 years of his life to military service, concluding his career as a four-star general decorated with a Silver Star awarded for bravery during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Austin stands out among Pentagon leaders for his combat experience, a point of contention in discussions surrounding military leadership and diversity.
In a recent interview, Austin addressed various misconceptions regarding the military’s capabilities: “There have been a lot of narratives about how strong or weak our military is. We’ve achieved significant things and are prepared to respond at a moment’s notice.”
After retiring from the Army in 2016, he returned to the Pentagon at President Joe Biden’s request in 2021, making history as the first Black defense secretary. He assumed leadership at a time marked by the COVID-19 pandemic and a deeply divided nation following the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021. During his early months, the Department of Defense faced challenges related to vaccine mandates and investigations into extremism within the ranks, following the arrest of more than 230 individuals connected to the Capitol insurrection.
Austin maintained that extremism was not a significant problem within the military, despite some evidence suggesting otherwise. The dramatic fall of the Afghan government to the Taliban, however, significantly shadowed his tenure. The U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan had been negotiated under Trump, leaving only 2,500 U.S. troops in the country when Biden took office. Veterans continue to express feelings of betrayal regarding the loss of Afghanistan.
The decision to proceed with the withdrawal resulted in a chaotic evacuation process in August 2021, retrieving over 124,000 people within 17 days, yet not without tragedies, including the deaths of 13 U.S. service members and 170 Afghans due to a suicide bombing. The Taliban rapidly reversed progress on women’s rights and civil liberties in Afghanistan. Austin remarked on the unexpected outcomes of the withdrawal, noting, “Some horrible things have happened in terms of women’s rights. We’ll just have to continue to work on those issues.”
As the Biden administration adjusted to the aftermath of the withdrawal, warnings surfaced regarding Russian President Vladimir Putin’s military movements along the Ukrainian border, with preparations for invasion looming. In response, Austin established the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, a coalition of over 50 nations that have since contributed more than $126 billion in military aid to Ukraine.
Further complications arose with the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023. Austin promptly dispatched two aircraft carriers to the region, leading to heightened naval conflicts in the Red Sea involving Iranian-backed militants.
In his closing addresses, Austin highlighted the significant accomplishments made during his tenure: “We’ve united the free world to support Ukraine against Putin’s aggression and strengthened the NATO alliance,” he articulated. He emphasized the efforts made to prevent full-scale warfare in the Middle East while also addressing the humanitarian crisis facing civilians in Gaza.
On one of Austin’s final days as Secretary, the Defense Department’s inspector general released a report scrutinizing his management of his prostate cancer diagnosis. He faced criticism for failing to inform the White House about his hospitalization and the complications that followed, which resulted in new protocols aimed at ensuring better communication in the future. Known for his desire for privacy, Austin stated, “I don’t want my health to be a media circus,” during his time in the hospital, but ultimately, his health struggles became a significant focus of public attention.
