Latest "lloyd Austin" stories
Confusion, lack of policy led to Austin’s hospitalization secret
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's secret hospitalization last month is prompting the Pentagon to create new policies for leadership absences.
Navy spells out new transgender policies
"All transgender persons who wish to serve in the United States Navy and can meet the appropriate standards shall be able to do so openly and free from discrimination."
By Diana Stancy
This week in Congress: Summer budget homework for lawmakers
Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of June 7, 2021.
Military leaders wary of changes in sexual assault policy
In memos to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, the service leaders laid out their concerns about the growing push to shift prosecution decisions on sexual assault and possibly other major crimes to independent judge advocates.
By Lolita C. Baldor, The Associated Press and Robert Burns, The Associated Press
Pentagon budget will shake up ‘legacy’ systems. Lawmakers are shaking back.
Top Pentagon officials are asking Congress to let them use the upcoming budget to shed unneeded weapons in order to invest in forward-looking technologies now. It wasn't an easy conversation.
By Joe Gould
Defense chief: US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan ‘slightly’ ahead
President Joe Biden has ordered a full U.S. troop withdrawal by Sept. 11. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin did not say when it may be complete.
By Lolita C. Baldor, The Associated Press
This week in Congress: Biden’s budget due out at last
Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of May 24, 2021.
Defense secretary tells West Point cadets they’re ready
Austin, a 1975 graduate of West Point, recalled his own years at the academy as he told graduates their West Point training will keep them on course.
Tiny uptick in 2020 military sex assault reports, officials say
Officials familiar with the data said sexual assault reports went up by about 1 percent, compared with the 2019 totals.
By Lolita C. Baldor, The Associated Press
US sends more warplanes to Afghanistan to protect troop pullout
Gen. Mark Milley said F-18 attack planes have been added to a previously announced package of air and sea power that can be called upon as protection for withdrawing troops.
By Robert Burns, The Associated Press and Lolita C. Baldor, The Associated Press
Joint Chiefs chairman urges greater racial diversity in the military
Gen. Mark Milley told a Howard University ROTC commissioning ceremony that diversity is an important strength of the military but is still inadequate.
By Robert Burns, The Associated Press and Lolita C. Baldor, The Associated Press