U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense inducts U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ronald J. Shurer II into the Hall of Heroes during a ceremony at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 2, 2018, after being awarded the Medal of Honor by the President. (DoD photo by Army Sgt. Amber I. Smith)

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)

Defense Media Activity (DMA) personnel from various sections including Production, Production Support, DoD News, and Social Media, prepare for the production and live broadcast of “World Wide Troop Talk” featuring Secretary of Defense, The Honorable Ashton B. Carter. Hours of prep time and numerous dry runs, ensured the Defense Media Activity efforts for the Secretary’s visit to DMA’s state of the art studio at Fort Meade, Maryland for his participation in the “World Wide Troop Talk” was a success. (Department of Defense Photo by Marvin Lynchard)

Soldiers of the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), participated in a Armed Forces Farewell Tribute in honor of Chuck Hagel, Twenty-Forth Secretary of Defense, at Conmy Hall, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Jan. 28, 2015. Hagel served as the Secretary of Defense for two years and present for the ceremony was President of the United States Barrack H. Obama, Vice President of the Untied States Joseph R. Biden, and General Martin E. Dempsey Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Cody Wes Torkelson)

Acting U.S. Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan meets with Greek Minister of Defence Evangelos Apostolakis during a visit to the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., June 7, 2019. (DoD photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Amber I. Smith)

Secretary of Defense Ash Carter stands while honors are played 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

94-year-old U.S. Army Sgt. Herman Zeitchik, meets with U.S. Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper, and U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, during a visit to the Pentagon, Aug. 29, 2019. (DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Dominique A. Pineiro)

Challenge Coin: VCJCS James Cartwright

U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense inducts U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ronald J. Shurer II into the Hall of Heroes during a ceremony at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 2, 2018, after being awarded the Medal of Honor by the President. (DoD photo by Army Sgt. Amber I. Smith)

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)

Deputy Secretary of Defense Bob Work answers questions from a panel of military dependents during the Military Child Education Coalition National Training Seminar in Washington, June 28, 2016. (DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Brigitte N. Brantley/Released)

Secretary of Defense Ashton B. Carter visits 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)

U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense inducts U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ronald J. Shurer II into the Hall of Heroes during a ceremony at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 2, 2018, after being awarded the Medal of Honor by the President. (DoD photo by Army Sgt. Amber I. Smith)

Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan speaks with Rep. Kevin McCarthy 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)

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)

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Secretary Rumsfeld (left) introduces staff members to President George W. Bush at their Pentagon meeting.

Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld (left) introduces staff members to President George W. Bush at their Pentagon meeting Sept. 12, 2001. Counterclockwise from Rumsfeld is Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz, Secretary of the Army Thomas E. White, Secretary of the Air Force James Roche, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Henry H. Shelton, USA, Secretary of the Navy Gordon England, White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card, and National Security Advisor Condoleeza Rice. Bush inspected the site of the terrorist attack on the building and thanked the men and women who assisted in containing the fires and rescuing victims. DoD photo by Helene C. Stikkel. (Released)

Secretary of the Army Dr. Mark T. Esper hosts the 243rd Army Birthday cake cutting ceremony at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., June 14, 2018.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, outgoing U.S. Strategic Command Commander Gen. C. Robert "Bob" Kehler and Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel walk before the STRATCOM Change of Command and retirement ceremony at Offutt AFB, Neb., Nov. 15, 2013. DoD Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Daniel Hinton.

Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper thanks U.S. Navy Adm. Charles “Chas” A. Richard, commander of U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), following his tour of the USSTRATCOM 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 senior leaders and warfighters on strategic deterrence in the 21st century. (U.S. Air Force photo by Steve Cunningham)

U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense inducts U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ronald J. Shurer II into the Hall of Heroes during a ceremony at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 2, 2018, after being awarded the Medal of Honor by the President. (DoD photo by Army Sgt. Amber I. Smith)

U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense inducts U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ronald J. Shurer II into the Hall of Heroes during a ceremony at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 2, 2018, after being awarded the Medal of Honor by the President. (DoD photo by Army Sgt. Amber I. Smith)

36th Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford stands during the invocation at 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. Marine Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Secretary of Defense Ash Carter, and President Barack Obama render honors during a Memorial Day Address held at Arlington National Cemetery, Va., May 30, 2016. DoD photo by Army Staff Sgt. Sean K. Harp/Released

Acting U.S. Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan meets with the Austrian Minister of Defense Mario Kunasek at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., April 10, 2019. (DoD photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Amber I. Smith)

U.S. Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan meets with Takeshi Iwaya Minister of Defense of Japan at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., April 19, 2019. (DoD photo by Air Force Master Sgt. Angelita M. Lawrence)

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)

From left, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, U.S. President Barack H. Obama and U.S. Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. watch as The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps performs during the Armed Forces Farewell Tribute in Honor of 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 Biden and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin E. Dempsey. (Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall PAO photo by Rachel Larue)

Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan meets with fighter squadron members at Osan Air Base, South Korea, June 3, 2019. (DoD photo by Lisa Ferdinando)

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin E. Dempsey and Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter testify before the House Armed Services Committee in Washington D.C. June 17, 2015. (DoD Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Daniel Hinton/released)

U.S. Navy Adm. Charles “Chas” A. Richard, commander of U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) and Command Senior Enlisted Leader Chief Master Sgt. Patrick F. McMahon welcome Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper to USSTRATCOM 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 senior leaders and warfighters on strategic deterrence in the 21st century. (U.S. Air Force photo by Steve Cunningham)

Leon Panetta is sworn in as Secretary of Defense by Vice President Joe Biden, with Panetta’s wife Sylvia present.

Military members and families of the 184 lives lost in the 2001 terrorist attack at the Pentagon sit in attendance of the 21st 9/11 Pentagon Observance Ceremony on Sept. 11, 2022, at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C. (DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Alexander Kubitza)

Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller deliver remarks while meeting with National Guard troops positioned at Union Station as part of the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force, Washington, D.C., Aug. 20, 2025. (DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander Kubitza)

Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper engages with U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) and 55th Wing service members at the field house at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., Feb. 20, 2020. Esper participated in circuit training with more than 40 USSTRATCOM and 55th Wing service members, following up the workout with a question and answer session. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Julie R. Matyascik)

U.S. Army Chinook helicopter crews fly from Osan Air Base to Seoul, South Korea, in support of the visit of U.S. Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan, June 2, 2019. (DoD photo by Lisa Ferdinando)

Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan meets with fighter squadron members at Osan Air Base, South Korea, June 3, 2019. (DoD photo by Lisa Ferdinando)

GOA, India (April 11, 2016) Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet Vice Adm. Joseph Aucoin has a discussion with Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) Ashton Carter and Defence Minister of India Manohar Parrikar during an office call aboard USS Blue Ridge. Blue Ridge is currently on patrol in the Indo-Asia-Pacific area of operation to build partnerships for the security and stability of the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Indra Bosko/Released)

Robert Hale makes remarks during his farewell ceremony.

18th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin E. Dempsey joined Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and guests to say farewell to outgoing Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller)/Chief Financial Officer Robert Hale in the Pentagon Auditorium, July 7, 2014. DoD photo by SSG Sean K. Harp, USA

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)

Acting U.S. Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan speaks to reporters before the arrival of the Qatar Minister of State for Defence Affairs Khalid bin Mohammad Al Attiyah for a meeting at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., March 12, 2019. (DoD photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Amber I. Smith)

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. Navy Adm. Charles “Chas” A. Richard, commander of U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), escorts Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper into the USSTRATCOM 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 senior leaders and warfighters on strategic deterrence in the 21st century. (U.S. Air Force photo by Steve Cunningham)

36th Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford passes the Marine Corps Colors to 37th Commandant of the Marine CorpsGen. Robert B. Neller 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

Former SecDef

Chinese Minister of Defense Wei Fenghe attends an evening reception, at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue 2019, Singapore, May 31, 2019. (DoD photo by Lisa Ferdinando)

Secretary of Defense Ash Carter and 18th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin E. Dempsey arrive as the official party during a Prisoner of War, Missing in Action National Recognition Day ceremony at the Pentagon, Sept. 18, 2015. DoD photo by Army Staff Sgt. Sean K. Harp/Released

Acting U.S. Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan meets with the 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)

Acting U.S. Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan meets with the French Minister of the Armed Forces Florence Parly during a visit to the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., March 18, 2019. (DoD photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Amber I. Smith)