Lloyd Austin (Current Secretary)

Lloyd Austin is the current U.S. Secretary of Defense, appointed in January 2021. He is a retired four-star Army general and the first African American to hold this position. Austin oversees the Department of Defense and is responsible for military policy, budget, and operations. His military career spanned over 40 years, during which he held various key leadership roles, including commanding U.S. forces in Iraq. As Secretary of Defense, he plays a crucial role in shaping U.S. defense strategy and addressing national security challenges, while also managing relations with military allies worldwide.