Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, center, listens as Lt. Col. David DeFelice, left, and Command Sgt. Maj. Patrick Frankenberg, commander and senior enlisted advisor with 4th Sqdn., 4th Cav. Regt., 1st ABCT, 1st Inf. Div. describe maintenance procedures during Hagel’s visit to the squadron motor pool Dec. 8 at Camp Buehring, Kuwait. Hagel spent time visiting with Soldiers in the squadron and presented commemorative coins during his visit, part of a multi-day tour of the region. (Staff Sgt. Daniel Stoutamire, 1st Inf. Div.)

Deputy Secretary of Defense Bob Work takes a tour of Central Command Forward Headquarters Nov. 27, 2015. (DoD photo by U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Clydell Kinchen) (Released)

Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel hands oncoming U.S. Strategic Command Commander Adm. Cecil D. Haney takes the command flag during the Change of Command Ceremony at Offutt AFB, Neb., Nov. 15, 2013. DoD Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Daniel Hinton.

Challenge Coin: SECDEF Donald Rumsfeld (Version 2)

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)

SOUTH CHINA SEA (Nov. 5, 2015) Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) Ash Carter and Malaysian Minister of Defense Hishammuddin Hussein speak with U.S. Navy Capt. Craig Clapperton, commanding officer of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) as they visit the aircraft carrier. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Adrian Cadiz/Released)

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)

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)

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)

President Barack Obama delivers remarks during a Memorial Day Address at Arlington National Cemetery, Va., May 30, 2016. DoD photo by Army Staff Sgt. Sean K. Harp/Released

Secretary Hagel and Mrs. Hale listen to remarks from Robert Hale.

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

NANGAHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Robert M. Gates, the Secretary of Defense, presents the Combat Action Badge to U.S. Army Spc. Christian J. Roming, a cavalry scout from Kenner, La., assigned to 1st Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, Task Force Panther, with Lt. Col. William B. Johnson, Task Force Panther commander from Bristol, Tenn., at Forward Operating Base Connolly in eastern Afghanistan’s Nangahar Province, Dec. 7. (Photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Mark Burrell, 210th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta, center, is presented with the Center for National Policy's (CNP) Edward S. Muskie award by Scott Bates, right, the CNP president; and Peter Kovler, the CNP chairman, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., June 21, 2012. Panetta was presented the Muskie award for his continued dedication to public service. (DoD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo/Released)

U.S. 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)

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 Portuguese Minister of Defense João Titternigton Gomes Cravinho at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., June 14, 2019. (DoD photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Amber I. Smith)

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. Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Kevin McAleenan meets with service members and border patrol agents before departing the U.S. Southern Border, McAllen, Texas, May 11, 2019. (DoD photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Amber I. Smith)

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)

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)

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)

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, rith, passes command of U.S. Southern Command to U.S. Navy Admiral Kurt W. Tidd at SOUTHCOM headquarters in Doral, Fl. Jan. 14, 2016. Tidd succeeded retiring U.S. Marine Corps General John F. Kelly. (DoD News photo by EJ Hersom)

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)

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin E. Dempsey salutes during 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 Pete Hegseth is interviewed live by Will Cain on 'The Will Cain Show' outside the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., May 19, 2025. (DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander Kubitza)

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)

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)

Challenge Coin: VCJCS James Cartwright

U.S. Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan meets with the Minister of Defence for Mongolia Nyamaagiin Enkhbold at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., April 2, 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 render honors 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 Robert M. Gates congratulates graduates of Blue Valley Northwest High School during their Graduation Ceremony at Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Mo., May 23, 2010. (DoD Photo by Master Sgt. Jerry Morrison, U.S. Air Force/Released)

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)

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)

U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan speaks at the Annual Association of the U.S. Army conference at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington D.C., Oct. 10, 2018. (DoD photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Amber I. Smith)

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth walks with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. after arriving at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., Jan. 27, 2025. (DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander Kubitza)

CJCS makes opening remarks.

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

Sec Def Robert McNamara points to diagrams of Vietnam.

Members of the U.S. Armed Forces Color Team present the national colors 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 Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin E. Dempsey. (Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall PAO photo by Rachel Larue)

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)

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)

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)

The Secretary of the Defense Chuck Hagel stands at attention before giving his remarks on Gen. James Amos during the commandant passage of command ceremony at Marine Barracks Washington, Friday, Oct. 17. After 44 years of honorable service to the Corps, Gen. James Amos passed the torch to Gen. Joseph Dunford. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Clayton Filipowicz/Released)

Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper receives a brief from Maj. Gen. Stephen Davis, director of global operations for U.S. Strategic Command, during an orientation of the command’s battle deck 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 Staff Sgt. Ian Hoachlander)

Acting U.S. Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan is welcomed to Japan’s Ministry of Defense with an honor guard arrival ceremony hosted by Minister of Defense Takeshi Iwaya, Tokyo, Japan, June 4, 2019. (DoD photo by Lisa Ferdinando)

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is greeted by Blue Origin Founder Jeff Bezos and Blue Origin CEO David Limp upon his arrival at Blue Origin, as part of his Arsenal of Freedom Tour, Cape Canaveral, Fla., Feb. 2, 2026. (DoW photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander Kubitza)

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)

Acting U.S. Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan meets with members of the 353rd Special Operations Group, Detachment 1, for a CV-22B Osprey mission brief, Yokota Air Base, Japan, June 4, 2019. (DoD photo by Lisa Ferdinando)