Profile Photo
Lloyd Austin IIIINDIndependent Secretary of Defense
70
Years of Age
3
Years of Experience
VAResidence (state)

Lloyd James Austin III (born August 8, 1953) is a retired United States Army four-star general who has served as the 28th and current United States secretary of defense since January 22, 2021. Before retiring from the military in 2016, Austin served as the 12th commander of United States Central Command (CENTCOM), beginning in March 2013. Prior to that he served as the 33rd vice chief of staff of the Army from January 2012 to March 2013, and as commander of United States Forces – Iraq from September 2010 to December 2011. He is the first African American to hold each of these positions. After retiring from the armed services Austin joined the boards of Raytheon Technologies, Nucor, Tenet Healthcare, and Auburn University. On December 7, 2020, he was nominated for defense secretary by then-President-elect Joe Biden and was confirmed by the United States Senate on January 22, 2021, by a vote of 93–2.Austin holds the unique distinction of having commanded in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan at the one-, two-, three- and four-star levels, and was the first African American to command a division, corps, and field army in combat. He is a recipient of the Silver Star, the nation's third highest award for valor, for his actions during the Iraq invasion, as well as five Defense Distinguished Service Medals.

Education8 - 8 of 6
United States Army Command and General Staff College
Webster University
Thomasville High School
Auburn University
United States Army War College
United States Military Academy
Past Positions1 - 10 of 10
Secretary of Defense
United States Department of Defense
2021 - Current
Secretary of Defense
United States of America
2020
Founder
Austin Strategy Group, Limited Liability Company
2016 - Current
Former Commander
United States Central Command
2013 - 2016
Four Star General
United States Army
1975 - 2016
Vice Chief of Staff
United States Army
2012 - 2013
Commanding General
United States Force - Iraq, United States Army
2010 - 2011
Commanding General
Multi-National Corps - Iraq, United States Army
2008 - 2009
Commanding General
10th Mountain Division, United States Army
2003 - 2005
Assistant Division Commander
3rd Infantry Division, United States Army
2001 - 2003
Other Experience1 - 5 of 5
Board of Directors
Nucor Corporation
Board of Directors
Tenet Healthcare Corporation
Former Board Member
Raytheon Technologies Corporation
Member
Board of Trustees, Auburn University
Member
Board of Trustees, Carnegie Corporation of New York