Who is identified as the Secretary of Defense?

Who is identified as the Secretary of Defense?

• A. The Honorable Lloyd Austin
• B. The Honorable Peter B. Hegseth
• C. The Honorable James Mattis
• D. The Honorable Ash Carter

Answer: (B)

The Secretary of Defense is the top civilian leader of the Department of Defense, serving as the President’s principal defense advisor and responsible for policy, budget, and overall direction of the armed forces. The person currently identified for this role is The Honorable Lloyd Austin, a retired four-star Army General who was sworn in as Secretary in 2021 after Senate confirmation. He brings decades of military leadership to the position, which is why his name is the one most commonly associated with the role today. The other names listed have held different roles or served in the past. The Honorable Peter B. Hegseth is a political commentator and never served as Secretary of Defense. The Honorable James Mattis did serve as Secretary of Defense, but earlier in the timeline (2017–2019). The Honorable Ash Carter also served as Secretary of Defense, but earlier in the timeline (2015–2017).

The Secretary of Defense is the top civilian leader of the Department of Defense, serving as the President’s principal defense advisor and responsible for policy, budget, and overall direction of the armed forces. The person currently identified for this role is The Honorable Lloyd Austin, a retired four-star Army General who was sworn in as Secretary in 2021 after Senate confirmation. He brings decades of military leadership to the position, which is why his name is the one most commonly associated with the role today.

The other names listed have held different roles or served in the past. The Honorable Peter B. Hegseth is a political commentator and never served as Secretary of Defense. The Honorable James Mattis did serve as Secretary of Defense, but earlier in the timeline (2017–2019). The Honorable Ash Carter also served as Secretary of Defense, but earlier in the timeline (2015–2017).