Secretary of Defense, Dr. Mark T. Esper, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. John E. Hyten, and Air Force Gen. Tod D. Wolters, commander, U.S. European Command, brief the media on the European Strategic Force Posture Review, July 29, 2020. (DoD Photo by Chad J. McNeeley)

U.S. Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan meets with Belgian Minister of Defence Didier Reynders at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., Feb. 21, 2019. (DoD photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Amber I. Smith)

Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan speaks with CNN's Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr during the Reagan National Defense Forum at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif., Dec. 2, 2017. The forum brings together leaders and key stakeholders in the defense community, including members of Congress, military leaders, industry, scholars and administration officials. (DOD photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brigitte N. Brantley)

The Honorable Ashton B. Carter, speaks at his Armed Forces Farewell Tribute at Conmy Hall, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., Jan. 9, 2017. (DoD Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. James K. McCann)

Secretary of Defense Ashton B. Carter, left, and Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense Brig. Gen. Eric M. Smith visit graves in Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery, Jan. 19, 2017, in Arlington, Va. Carter also placed a challenge coin on each of the headstones they visited. (U.S. Army photo by Rachel Larue/Arlington National Cemetery/released)

PENTAGON (April 20, 20180) - Defense Secretary James N. Mattis welcomes Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera in an honor cordon at the Pentagon. (DoD photo by Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Kathryn E. Holm) 180420-D-SH953-0192

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Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates arrives at Seoul Air Base, South Korea, July 19, 2010. Gates is in Korea to visit with troops and to participate in counterpart talks underscoring the alliance between the United States and South Korea. Gates and South Korean National Defense Minister Kim Tae-young released a joint statement to announce a large-scale combined maritime and air readiness exercise named Invincible Spirit, scheduled to begin July 25. (DoD photo by Cherie Cullen/Released)

NANGAHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – During a recent visit to Forward Operating Base Connolly, Robert M. Gates, the Secretary of Defense, presents the Combat Medic’s Badge to U.S. Army Steven M. Stone, a combat medic from Gainesville, Fla., assigned to 1st Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, Task Force Panther, in eastern Afghanistan’s Nangahar Province, Dec. 7. “Having him come down here to FOB Connolly means that we’re doing our job,” said Stone. “It feels good.” (Photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Mark Burrell, 210th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

Deputy Secretary of Defense Dr. Ashton Carter visited U.S. Transportation Command and units on Scott Air Force Base, Ill. April 16 as an orientation of the command base. During his tour, Carter personally thanked the military and civilian men and women who serve the country. Here Carter addresses a group of USTRANSCOM, AMC, SDDC and Scott Air Force Base members prior to presenting each with his challenge coin. Photo by Bob Fehringer, USTRANSCOM/PA

CJCS addresses a question presented by Indiana Senator Dan Coats.

18th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin E. Dempsey joined Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller)/Chief Financial Officer Robert Hale to testify before the Senate Subcommittee on Department of Defense to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2015 for the Department of Defense, Jun. 18, 2014. DoD photo by SSG Sean K. Harp, USA

U.S. Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan speaks to representatives of military and veterans service organizations at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., May 13, 2019. Shanahan was joined at the event by Acting Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs Charles E. Summers Jr., and Acting Principal Deputy Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs Kim Joiner (right). (DoD photo by Lisa Ferdinando)

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates, right, and Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell call on a member of the media during a press availability on board a U.S. Air Force E-4B National Airborne Operations Center aircraft over the Pacific Ocean Oct. 19, 2009. Gates, who is departing Hawaii after attending a U.S. Pacific Command change of command ceremony, is on his way to Tokyo, Japan, to meet with the Japanese minister for foreign affairs. (DoD photo by Master Sgt. Jerry Morrison, U.S. Air Force/Released)

U.S. Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan meets with Belgian Minister of Defence Didier Reynders at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., Feb. 21, 2019. (DoD photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Amber I. Smith)

Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Dr. James N. Miller gives remarks at a farewell ceremony for himself at the Pentagon, Jan. 7, 2014. DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Daniel Hinton.

Former Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates signs copies of his memoirs at the South Post Exchange, Jan. 27, 2014.

(Photo by Lewis Perkins/Paraglide)

Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan is the invited guest of honor by Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Glenn M. Walters during the Marine Barracks Washington sunset parade in Arlington, Va., May 11, 2018. (DoD photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Amber I. Smith)

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, second from left, shakes hands with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak shortly after Lee?s arrival at the Pentagon Oct. 12, 2011. Lee met with Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, right, and senior military and civilian leaders with the Department of Defense. Also in the receiving line are Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Michele Flournoy, center, and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz. (Department of Defense photo by R.D. Ward/Released)

18th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin E. Dempsey joined Secretary of Defense Hon. Chuck Hagel at to address the media in the Pentagon Briefing Room, Sept. 26, 2014. DoD photo by Army Staff Sgt. Sean K. Harp/Released

18th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey talks with Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel at the National War College on Fort Lesley J. McNair during a strategic dialog meeting, May 8, 2014. The Secretary of Defense, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and all U.S. combatant commanders are attending the dialog. DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Daniel Hinton

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan watch West Point's Corps of Cadets march onto the field before the Army-Navy football game Dec. 9, 2017, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pa. The Army Black Knights beat the Navy Midshipmen 14-13. (DOD photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brigitte N. Brantley)

Defense Secretary James Mattis, Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Army Command Sgt. Maj. John W. Troxell, senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, host Cooper Smith and his family during a visit at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., April 2, 2018. (DOD photo by Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Dominique A. Pineiro)

President of the U.S. Barack H. Obama gives remarks during the Armed Forces Farewell Tribute in Honor of Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel Jan. 28, 2015, in Conmy Hall on the Fort Myer portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. Obama hosted the ceremony with co-hosts Vice President of the U.S. Joseph R. Biden Jr. and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin E. Dempsey. (Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall PAO photo by Rachel Larue)

Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, walks through the side boys during the change of command and retirement ceremony of Gen. William M. Fraser III, outgoing U.S. Transportation Command commander, on Scott field at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., May 5, 2014. DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Daniel Hinton

Deputy Secretary of Defense Pat Shanahan learns about the mission of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., Nov. 14, 2017, from the Airmen and Soldiers stationed there. It was his first opportunity to observe military unit readiness firsthand outside the Washington, D.C., area. (DOD photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brigitte N. Brantley)

Challenge Coin: VCJCS William Owens

Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper speaks with U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) and 55th Wing senior leaders upon his arrival at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., Feb. 19, 2020. During his visit, Esper toured Offut and USSTRATCOM’s global operations center and participated in discussions with senior leaders and warfighters on strategic deterrence in the 21st century. (U.S. Air Force photo by Steve Cunningham)

U.S. Navy Adm. Charles Richard, commander of U.S. Strategic Command, briefs Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper on the orientation of the battle deck in the command's new Command and Control Facility at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., Feb. 20, 2020. During his visit, Esper toured the command’s global operations center and participated in discussions with Richard, other senior leaders and warfighters on strategic deterrence in the 21st century. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ian Hoachlander)

Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Dr. James N. Miller gives remarks at a farewell ceremony for himself at the Pentagon, Jan. 7, 2014. DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Daniel Hinton.

Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan speaks during the Reagan National Defense Forum at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif., Dec. 2, 2017. The forum brings together leaders and key stakeholders in the defense community, including members of Congress, military leaders, industry, scholars and administration officials. (DOD photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brigitte N. Brantley)

36th Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford makes remarks during the U.S. Marine Corps passage of command ceremony held at Marine Barracks, in Washington, D.C., Sept. 24, 2015. Gen. Joseph F. Dunford relinquished command to Gen. Robert B. Neller. Gen. Dunford will take over as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Sept. 25, 2015. DoD photo by Army Staff Sgt. Sean K. Harp/Released

U.S. Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan greets the children during Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day, at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., April 25, 2019. (DoD photo by Lisa Ferdinando)

U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services member Senators Deb Fischer and Kelly Ayotte listen to testimony from 18th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin E. Dempsey and Secretary of Defense Ashton B. Carter during a hearing discussing Counter-ISIL(Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) Strategy, on Capitol Hill, July 7, 2015. DoD photo by Army Staff Sgt. Sean K. Harp/Released

Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan swears in Robert Wilkie as the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness during a ceremony Dec. 20, 2017, at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. In this role, he serves as principal advisor to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense for total force management as it relates to readiness; National Guard and Reserve component affairs; health affairs; training; and personnel requirements and management, including equal opportunity, morale, welfare, recreation, and the quality of life for military families. (DOD photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brigitte N. Brantley)

JAKARTA, Indonesia (May 30, 2019) - U.S. Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan meets with Indonesia’s Minister of Defense Ryamizard Ryacudu, at the Ministry of Defense, Jakarta, Indonesia, May 30, 2019. (DoD photo by Lisa Ferdinando) 190530-D-BN624-0534

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the greatest secdef who ever lived, to whom statues will be built someday.

Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin E. Dempsey appeared before the House Armed Services Committee during the DoD Fiscal Year 2015 National Defense Authorization Budget Request hearing at the Rayburn Building at the Capitol, Mar. 6, 2014.

(DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Sean K. Harp)

18th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin E. Dempsey joined Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel for a press briefing in the Pentagon Oct. 30, 2014. Topics addressed covered current military operations against ISIL and military action in the Ebola crisis in West Africa. DoD photo by Army Staff Sgt. Sean K. Harp/Released

HONOLULU, Hawaii (May 27, 2015) - Defense Secretary Ash Carter, right, meets with Philippine Defense Minister Voltaire Gazmin. Carter and Gazmin discussed mutual defense interests in the Asia-Pacific and reaffirmed the strong and enduring ties between the two nations. (DoD photo by Glenn Fawcett) 150527-D-NI589-388

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Vice President of the United States Michael Pence, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke, and U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan participated in a flag presentation to the Korean War Veterans Memorial Foundation at the Korean War Memorial in Washington, D.C., Sep. 20, 2018. The vice president presented a flag to the foundation that was among the flags that wrapped the cases of some 55 remains of fallen Americans from the Korean War. (DoD photo by Army Sgt. Amber I. Smith)

Gen. Lloyd Austin, U.S. Central Command commander, talks with Gen. Charles H. Jacoby, Jr., U.S. Northern Command commander, in the Hill Conference Room at the National War College on Fort Lesley J. McNair during a strategic dialog meeting, May 8, 2014. The Secretary of Defense, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and all U.S. combatant commanders are attending the dialog. DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Daniel Hinton

Service members from the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard participate in the Armed Forces Farewell Tribute in Honor of Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel Jan. 28, 2015, in Conmy Hall on the Fort Myer portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. U.S. President Barack H. Obama hosted the ceremony with co-hosts Vice President of the U.S. Joseph R. Biden Jr. and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin E. Dempsey. (Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall PAO photo by Rachel Larue)

Acting U.S. Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan talks to reporters with the commander of U.S. Forces Korea, U.S. Army Gen. Robert B. Abrams, Osan Air Base, South Korea, June 3, 2019. (DoD photo by Lisa Ferdinando)

36th Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford and 37th Commandant of the Marine CorpsGen. Robert B. Neller stand in formation during the U.S. Marine Corps passage of command ceremony held at Marine Barracks, in Washington, D.C., Sept. 24, 2015. Gen. Joseph F. Dunford relinquished command to Gen. Robert B. Neller. Gen. Dunford will take over as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Sept. 25, 2015. DoD photo by Army Staff Sgt. Sean K. Harp/Released

Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan meets with Israeli Director General Udi Adam at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., Apr. 30, 2018. (DoD photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Amber I. Smith)

U.S. Service members assigned to the Department of Defense Honor Guard stand before a meeting between Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan and Qatar Minister of State for Defence Affairs Khalid bin Mohammad Al Attiyah at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., March 12, 2019. (DoD photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Amber I. Smith)

18th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin E. Dempsey joins Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and Undersecretary of Defense Comptroller Robert Hale to serve as witnesses at The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations Department of Defense Budget Hearing, on Capitol Hill, Mar. 13, 2014.

DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Sean K. Harp

Secretary of the Army John McHugh lifts a weapon used during a capabilities demonstration to check its weight as a U.S. Army Special Forces Soldier responds to his questions following a capabilities demonstration by Botswana Defense Force soldiers during Exercise Eastern Piper 2012.