Lloyd J. Austin III served as the 28th Secretary of Defense from 2021 to 2025, the first African American to hold the position. A retired four-star general, he served 41 years in the Army, culminating his military career as the 12th commander of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) from 2013 to 2016.
As Secretary of Defense and a member of the National Security Council under President Joe Biden, Austin led major military modernization programs, reinforced global alliances, and oversaw historic reforms to the military justice system. In 2022, Austin created the Ukraine Defense Contract Group, leading a coalition of more than 50 nations to coordinate military aid in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In the Middle East, Austin worked to achieve a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.
Austin began his career in the U.S. Army in 1975 as second lieutenant in the infantry and rose through the ranks to command troops in combat at the corps, division, battalion, and brigade levels. He was awarded the Silver Star for his leadership of the 3rd Infantry Division during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. In 2010, Austin was appointed as the commanding general of United States Forces-Iraq, responsible for the transition of U.S. and coalition military forces out of the country by 2011.
In 2013, Austin was named the 12th commander of U.S. Central Command, directing military operations in the Middle East and Afghanistan, and leading the campaign to defeat the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.
Following his retirement from military service in 2016, Austin served on the board of trustees of the Andrew Carnegie Foundation until his appointment as Secretary of Defense in 2021. He also served on the board of trustees of Auburn University, and on the boards of directors of Nucor Corporation, Tenet Healthcare, and Raytheon Technologies.
Austin holds a BS from the United States Military Academy, an MA in education from Auburn University, and an MBA from Webster University.