Was lloyd Austin in the military?

Was Lloyd Austin in the Military?

Lloyd Austin, the current United States Secretary of Defense, has had a long and distinguished career in the military. In this article, we will explore his military background and achievements.

Early Life and Education

Lloyd Austin was born on August 29, 1955, in Mobile, Alabama. He grew up in a military family and was raised in a variety of locations, including Germany and California. Austin earned a Bachelor’s degree in Chinese Studies from the University of Alabama in 1975 and a Master’s degree in International Relations from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University in 1983.

Military Career

Austin joined the United States Army in 1975 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant after graduating from Officer Candidate School. He served in the Army for over 35 years, rising through the ranks to become a four-star general.

Command Assignments

Austin had several command assignments throughout his military career, including:

• Commander, 1st Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division (1997-1998): Austin commanded the 1st Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, a unit that is part of the 18th Airborne Corps.
• Commander, 10th Mountain Division (2003-2005): Austin commanded the 10th Mountain Division, a unit that is part of the United States Army Forces Command.
• Commander, Multi-National Force-Iraq (2008-2009): Austin commanded the Multi-National Force-Iraq, a coalition of troops from various countries that were stationed in Iraq.

Staff Assignments

Austin also had several staff assignments throughout his military career, including:

• Assistant Division Commander, 1st Infantry Division (1999-2001): Austin served as the Assistant Division Commander of the 1st Infantry Division, a unit that is part of the United States Army Forces Command.
• Deputy Commanding General, United States Army Forces Command (2005-2007): Austin served as the Deputy Commanding General of the United States Army Forces Command, a unit that is responsible for the training and readiness of Army forces.

Awards and Decorations

Austin received numerous awards and decorations during his military career, including:

• Defense Distinguished Service Medal (2009): Austin received the Defense Distinguished Service Medal for his service as the Commander of the Multi-National Force-Iraq.
• Army Distinguished Service Medal (2001): Austin received the Army Distinguished Service Medal for his service as the Assistant Division Commander of the 1st Infantry Division.
• Bronze Star Medal (2003): Austin received the Bronze Star Medal for his service as the Commander of the 10th Mountain Division.

Post-Military Career

After retiring from the military in 2016, Austin went on to become the CEO of Lockheed Martin International, a subsidiary of the defense contractor Lockheed Martin. He also served as a member of the Defense Policy Board, a advisory board that provides advice to the Secretary of Defense.

Secretary of Defense

In December 2020, President-elect Joe Biden announced that he would nominate Austin to be the next Secretary of Defense. Austin was confirmed by the Senate in a 93-2 vote on January 22, 2021, and took office as the 28th Secretary of Defense on January 22, 2021.

Conclusion

Lloyd Austin has had a long and distinguished career in the military, rising through the ranks to become a four-star general. He has served in a variety of command and staff assignments, and has received numerous awards and decorations for his service. After retiring from the military, Austin went on to become the CEO of Lockheed Martin International and a member of the Defense Policy Board. He is currently serving as the Secretary of Defense, a position that he was confirmed for in January 2021.

Table: Military Assignments

Table: Awards and Decorations

Bullets List: Notable Achievements

• Commander of the Multi-National Force-Iraq during the Iraq War
• Commander of the 10th Mountain Division during the War in Afghanistan
• Assistant Division Commander of the 1st Infantry Division during the Kosovo War
• Deputy Commanding General of the United States Army Forces Command
• CEO of Lockheed Martin International
• Member of the Defense Policy Board