Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin Reflects on Legacy in Farewell Address

Austin, the first Black defense secretary, highlights 45 years of service, military challenges, and personal lessons as he departs the Pentagon.

Lloyd Austin, the first Black U.S. defense secretary, delivered a farewell speech at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, marking the end of his historic four-year tenure.
Austin reflected on his 45-year career, emphasizing the importance of service members and their families while sharing lessons learned from his early military days.
His tenure included managing major global conflicts such as the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Ukraine war, and the 2023 Hamas-Israel conflict, as well as addressing extremism and COVID-19 challenges within the military.
Austin's leadership saw the creation of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, which coordinated over $126 billion in aid to Ukraine following Russia's invasion.
He acknowledged personal challenges, including scrutiny over his handling of a cancer diagnosis, while expressing pride in the military's resilience and commitment to defending the Constitution.