New Commandant at Naval Academy
COL James “J.P.” McDonough III will be the next commandant at the US Naval Academy. The Marine Corps artillery officer was a 1994 graduate of the academy.
At DoD, a History-Making Confirmation
Retired US Army GEN Lloyd Austin made history Friday by becoming America’s first Black secretary of defense. In his Day One Message to the Force he said he was “proud to be back on your team.”
2nd DefSec Waiver Faces Struggle
The principle of civilian control of the military is at stake, say an increasing number of Democrats opposed to a waiver that would allow President-elect Joe Biden’s pick for Secretary of Defense to move forward. The US DefSec must be separated seven years from the military. GEN Lloyd Austin retired four years ago. The same waiver was sought by President Trump and received for former DefSec James Mattis.
Timeline on Vote for New DefSec Unclear
The Senate Armed Services Committee is planning a confirmation hearing at 3 pm Jan. 19 for GEN Lloyd Austin, the Biden administration’s choice for secretary of defense. A timeline for any vote has not yet been established.
Maverick Pilot Chuck Yeager Dies at 97
The World War II fighter pilot ace and quintessential test pilot showed he had the “right stuff” in 1947, becoming the first person to fly faster than sound.
