U.S. Secretary of Defense, the Honorable Robert M. Gates, met with coalition troops at ISAF Joint Command headquarters June 7 in Kabul. (Photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Brandon Pomrenke)

U.S. Secretary of Defense, the Honorable Robert M. Gates, met with coalition troops at ISAF Joint Command headquarters June 7 in Kabul. (Photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Brandon Pomrenke)

Secretary of Defense, The Honorable Ashton B. Carter, greets Defense Media Activity (DMA) Director Ray B. Shepherd in front of the DMA building during visit to Fort Meade, Maryland. The Secretary visited Fort Meade to conduct a "World Wide Troop Talk" from the DMA studios located on Fort Meade. (Department of Defense Photo by Marvin Lynchard)

SecDef' 13: Redrawing the security map - Plenary Session I: Transatlantic security: Tactical and strategic challenges

SecDef' 13: Redrawing the security map

U.S. Secretary of Defense, the Honorable Robert M. Gates, met with coalition troops at ISAF Joint Command headquarters June 7 in Kabul. (Photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Brandon Pomrenke)

U.S. Secretary of Defense, the Honorable Robert M. Gates, met with coalition troops at ISAF Joint Command headquarters June 7 in Kabul. (Photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Brandon Pomrenke)

U.S. Secretary of Defense, the Honorable Robert M. Gates, met with coalition troops at ISAF Joint Command headquarters June 7 in Kabul. (Photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Brandon Pomrenke)

From farm girl to protecting SecDef

From farm girl to protecting SecDef

From farm girl to protecting SecDef

Challenge Coin: VCSA Cody (Version 3)

Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby holds a press briefing at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., Dec. 20, 2021. (DoD photo by Chad J. McNeeley)

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)

I couldn't take my camera off of auto quickly enough, so he's the tiny dude in back you can't see

U.S. Secretary of Defense, the Honorable Robert M. Gates, met with coalition troops at ISAF Joint Command headquarters June 7 in Kabul. (Photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Brandon Pomrenke)

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)

SecDef'13 pre-conference dinner - Jaap de Hoop Scheffer

U.S. Secretary of Defense, the Honorable Robert M. Gates, met with coalition troops at ISAF Joint Command headquarters June 7 in Kabul. (Photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Brandon Pomrenke)

Members of the United States Army Band line up before U.S. Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper hosts an honor cordon to welcome Norwegian Defense Minister Frank Bakke-Jensen at the Pentagon, Sept. 27, 2019. (DoD photo by Army Staff Sgt. Vanessa Atchley)

Service members line up before U.S. Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper hosts an honor cordon to welcome Norwegian Defense Minister Frank Bakke-Jensen at the Pentagon, Sept. 27, 2019. (DoD photo by Army Staff Sgt. Vanessa Atchley)

Kai-Uwe von Hassel, the Minister of Defense for West Germany, signs defense agreement with Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara.

PENTAGON, WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Defense Secretary Leon Panetta meets with the senior enlisted advisors to the Joint Chiefs of Staff Thursday to discuss issues that relate to the Armed Forces and military families. Panetta routinely meets with the SEAs to get their perspective on military matters as they travel throughout the force meeting with service members and families. (DoD photo by Army Master Sgt. Terrence L. Hayes)

From farm girl to protecting SecDef

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)

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)

Secretary of Defense, The Honorable Ashton B. Carter, conducts "World Wide Troop Talk" from the DMA studios located on Fort Meade. (Department of Defense Photo by Marvin Lynchard)

U.S. Secretary of Defense, the Honorable Robert M. Gates, met with coalition troops at ISAF Joint Command headquarters June 7 in Kabul. (Photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Brandon Pomrenke)

SecDef' 13: Redrawing the security map - Parallel session I: Maritime security around the world

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)

SecDef' 13: Redrawing the security map - Ministerial debate: Redrawing the security map: challenges and priorities - Stéphane Beemelmans, State Secretary of the German Ministry of Defence

General Robert Barrow is sworn in as Commandant of the Marine Core. Secretary of Defense Harold Brown is present.

SecDef' 13: Redrawing the security map - Parallel session II: Information sharing as the key to counter-terrorism

From farm girl to protecting SecDef

SecDef' 13: Redrawing the security map - Ministerial debate: Redrawing the security map: challenges and priorities

U.S. Secretary of Defense, the Honorable Robert M. Gates, met with coalition troops at ISAF Joint Command headquarters June 7 in Kabul. (Photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Brandon Pomrenke)

PENTAGON, WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Defense Secretary Leon Panetta meets with the senior enlisted advisors to the Joint Chiefs of Staff Thursday to discuss issues that relate to the Armed Forces and military families. Panetta routinely meets with the SEAs to get their perspective on military matters as they travel throughout the force meeting with service members and families. (DoD photo by Army Master Sgt. Terrence L. Hayes)

Acting U.S. Secretary of Defense Richard V. Spencer meets with U.S. Army soldiers from 317th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, deployed from Fort Polk, Louisiana, and the Department of Homeland Security during a visit to the U.S. southern border, McAllen, Texas, July 19, 2019. (DoD photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Vanessa Atchley)

Acting U.S. Secretary of Defense Richard V. Spencer and U.S. senators travel to meet with U.S. Army soldiers, National Guard soldiers, and the Department of Homeland Security during a visit to the U.S. southern border, McAllen, Texas, July 19, 2019. (DoD photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Vanessa Atchley)

SecDef' 13: Redrawing the security map

Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara and ASD (Public Affairs) Phil Goulding meet with National Newspaper Publishers Association, an association of more than 200 primarily African American Newspaper Publishers.

Fort Campbell, KY - Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta visited Fort Campbell and the Sabalauski Air Assault School on Friday, March 2nd 2012. The Defense Secretary watched demonstrations of rappelling and fast roping from staff and students. After the demonstration the Defense Secretary spoke to students and fielded questions ranging from TriCare to deployment lengths. He then thanked the students and staff and handed out coins. Panetta also spoke of how important the 101st Airborne Division will play in the future of the Army.

Official Army Photo by: Jerry Woller (RELEASED)

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)

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)

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)

SecDef' 13: Redrawing the security map