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

U.S. Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan and Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Kevin McAleenan meet with National Guard Soldiers from Rio Grande Valley Task Force Aviation during a visit to the U.S. Southern Border, McAllen, Texas, May 11, 2019. (DoD photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Amber I. Smith)

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)

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)

U.S. President Donald Trump meets with U.S. Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan along with top military and civilian leadership at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., March 15, 2019. (DoD photo by U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Angelita M. Lawrence)

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. Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan and Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Kevin McAleenan meet with U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 93rd Military Police Battalion Crisis Response Force, deployed from Ft. Bliss, Texas, and National Guard Soldiers from the 3rd, 141st Infantry Battalion during a visit to the U.S. Southern Border, McAllen, Texas, May 11, 2019. (DoD photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Amber I. Smith)

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

Deputy Secretary of Defense Bob Work delivers remarks during the 60th Annual Navy Fleet Ballistic Missile Program Falls Church, Virginia on October 02, 2015. (DoD photo by U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Clydell Kinchen) (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)

From left, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, U.S. President Barack H. Obama, U.S. Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin E. Dempsey 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 Jr. and Dempsey. (Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall PAO photo by Rachel Larue)

Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta, right, escorts visiting Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak, center, through a cordon of honor guards into the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., July 28, 2011.(DoD photo by R. D. Ward/Released)

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus presents Ellyn Dunford an award 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

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

U.S. Marine Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and his wife Ellyn attend a Memorial Day wreath-laying ceremony by President Barack Obama at the Tomb of the Unknowns, in Arlington National Cemetery, Va., May 30, 2016. DoD photo by Army Staff Sgt. Sean K. Harp/Released

Deputy Secretary of Defense Pat Shanahan gives a keynote address at the United Nations Peacekeeping Defense Ministerial Nov. 15, 2017, in Vancouver, Canada. (DOD photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brigitte N. Brantley)

U.S. Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan departs the U.S. Southern border May 11, 2019. (DoD photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Amber I. Smith)

Daniel Coats, Director of National Intelligence, and Deputy Secretary of Defense Pat Shanahan arrive at the Defense Intelligence Agency change of directorship ceremony at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington. D.C., Oct. 3, 2017. The outgoing director was U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Vincent Stewart and the incoming director was U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Robert Ashley. (DOD photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brigitte N. Brantley)

Deputy Secretary of Defense Pat Shanahan meets with Bosnia and Herzegovina's Minister of Defense Marina Pendes at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., Sept. 12, 2017. (DOD photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brigitte N. Brantley)

U.S. Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan meets with Chinese Minister of Defense Wei Fenghe, at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue 2019, Singapore, May 31, 2019. (DoD photo by Lisa Ferdinando)

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

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin E. Dempsey attends the Change of Command Ceremony of outgoing U.S. Strategic Command Commander Gen. C. Robert "Bob" Kehler and oncoming Commander Adm. Cecil D. Haney at Offutt AFB, Neb., Nov. 15, 2013. DoD Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Daniel Hinton.

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)

Sheila Schneider, Shad Wakefield, Neil Adams and SECDEF Leon Panetta.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin E. Dempsey 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. U.S. President Barack H. Obama hosted the ceremony with co-hosts Vice President of the U.S. Joseph R. Biden Jr. and Dempsey. (Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall PAO photo by Rachel Larue)

Acting U.S. Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan arrives at the residence of Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzō Abe, Tokyo, Japan, June 4, 2019. (DoD photo by Lisa Ferdinando)

Secretary of Defense Ash Carter and Command Sgt. Maj. John W. Troxell, Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, exit a one on one meeting at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., July 22, 2016. This is the first occasion the two have met one on one. (DoD Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. James K. McCann / Released)

Deputy Secretary of Defense Pat Shanahan speaks with students at The Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School Sept. 25, 2017, at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Va. The school provides legal education, strategic planning, and collection and integration of lessons learned to the DOD legal community. (DOD photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brigitte N. Brantley)

GOA, India (April 11, 2016) Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet Vice Adm. Joseph Aucoin welcomes Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) Ashton Carter 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)