Today I spoke with members of the Defense Innovation Board. Their support for our efforts to catalyze innovation within the @DeptofDefense and the defense industrial base has been invaluable. Innovation is a never-ending imperative for DoD. More: defense.gov/News/Releases/…

Join me today via livestream as I deliver remarks on “Outpacing the PRC: Lessons Learned for Strategic Competition” and join a fireside chat with @SAISHopkins Professor Thomas Mahnken. Strategic competition with the PRC has been a top priority under @SecDef Austin's leadership, haring our accomplishments and insights. Watch the livestream here: defense.gov/News/Live-Even…

As we head into the new year, it’s important to reflect on the myriad of challenges we’ve tackled as a team to defend our nation, take care of our people, and succeed through teamwork with like-minded partners and allies. We succeed because Americans from all backgrounds and to serve our nation and defend our ideals. In the coming year, I look forward to seeing the strategic investments we have made over the last four years continue to propel our national security forward to overcome new challenges and defend our democratic ideals and our way of life.

#Putin's aggression led to clearer, more public conversations about the transatlantic defense industrial base and the challenges of capability production at scale, enabling us to make necessary investments to get after those challenges. As a result, we are maximizing production uding newer, lower-cost munitions — for a range of warfighting scenarios; investing in our shipbuilding and submarine industrial base, which also matters for #AUKUS; using on-shoring and friend-shoring to secure supply chains, from critical minerals to microchips; and expanding co-development, co-production, and co-sustainment with allies and partners. We're doing all this because production is deterrence. The war in #Ukraine galvanized democratic societies to jump-start their industries and deepen their stockpiles to better deter aggression and prepare for the future.

Putin planned to take over Ukraine within 10 days. To date, he's missed his target timeline 100 times over. He underestimated Ukraine's will to fight, and ability to innovate. No one should underestimate the ability of an educated, networked, capable society to self-organize and the will of the collective international community to aid in the support of democratic ideals worldwide.

Throughout the @DeptofDefense, our service members and civilians continue to stand watch through the holiday season, ensuring security for our nation and supporting our partners and allies worldwide. We are grateful for the support of the more than 2 million dedicated civil mmon purpose: the defense of our nation and our democratic ideals- so that we can enjoy peace and security at home.

The Department’s recently-released China Military Power Report demonstrates the depth and breadth of our pacing challenge. It also shows how critical our strategy-aligned investments are to deterring PRC aggression against the United States, our allies and partners; and defending ity interests- and the key to deterrence is being able to win if called to fight. More: media.defense.gov/2024/Dec/18/20…

During the holidays, I look forward to connecting with our deployed service members to thank them for their outsized contributions to U.S. national security. It was a pleasure to speak this morning with service members from the @usairforce 480th Expeditionary Fighter Generation CENTCOM in support of our air combat and training needs. We are proud of you.

A global security mission means our @USNavy is always on watch. Today I spoke with sailors aboard the USS Gettysburg (CG 64) who are charged with defending the Harry S. Truman Strike Group in the @US_EUCOM and @CENTCOM theater of operations. Through your role with the Strike h European partners, you are enhancing U.S., European, and Middle East security. Keep up the great work.

I enjoyed speaking with service members today from the @USArmy 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade. The @2SFAB is advising and supporting Djiboutian forces in Africa to strengthen their capabilities. A big thank you to you and your families for your commitment and service this caCommand

#Putin’s aggression has led to clearer, more public conversations about the transatlantic defense industrial base and the challenges of capability production at scale. Defense industry production is deterrence. The war in #Ukraine galvanized democratic societies to jump-start epen their stockpiles to better deter aggression and prepare for the future.

You can have all the elements of an advanced military on paper, but if you can’t bring it all together into an integrated system-of-systems, if you don’t have consistent operational know-how, winning is tough. This is why we have focused over the last four years on making vanced concepts and capabilities like CJADC2 and autonomous systems that will prepare our warfighters to rapidly communicate and deliver battlefield effects.

I would like to thank our @DefenceHQ colleagues for the deep spirit of cooperation and friendship we continue to enjoy. From NATO to AUKUS and beyond, the U.S. and the UK are fortunate to be among dozens of like-minded friends and allies who are partners of choice. We share er. It’s the result of decades — in some cases centuries — of mutual investment in our relationships. We can never take that for granted.

As generative #AI capabilities advance, we are ensuring the @DeptofDefense is structured to swiftly and safely adopt this transformational technology while managing risks. We know our organization must be as adaptive as the new tech that we’re leveraging to sharpen our ing the AI Rapid Capabilities Cell under @DODCDAO will further accelerate the development and deployment of America’s world-leading AI capabilities through rapid experimentation and integration. defense.gov/News/Releases/…

Russia’s latest war of aggression against Ukraine taught us many valuable lessons which we’re applying to bolster security in the Indo-Pacific. It was a pleasure to speak at @RUSI_org this morning to discuss how like-minded allies and partners are giving democracies an upper hand g the changing character of war. More: defense.gov/News/Speeches/…

Over the past four years, we have continued to deepen the US-UK defense relationship through ongoing defense dialogues. Throughout the day today, our nations discussed a broad range of bilateral issues. Engaging international partners and Allies is critical to enabling omoting cooperation. defense.gov/News/Releases/…

It was a pleasure to meet with @USAmbUK Jane Hartley this morning in London to discuss the special relationship between the U.S. and UK. I am thankful for the work Amb. Hartley and her staff conduct each day to strengthen our relationship, ultimately contributing to increased ns.

Today marks 83 years since the fateful attack on Pearl Harbor. Today we honor the sacrifices of those who died on that day. We continue to defend our nation’s ideals in their honor and in honor of all those who have served.

Events in #Ukraine and the Middle East have demonstrated the evolving threat presented by unmanned platforms. @SecDef Austin and I are focused on enhancing our protections against this threat, and ensuring our warfighters are armed with the most advanced and innovative technology inst it. Our counter-unmanned-systems strategy sets the guidelines for our efforts, and through initiatives like Replicator 2, we are moving quickly to enhance our capabilities. media.defense.gov/2024/Dec/05/20…

Tomorrow I depart for London, where I’ll meet with @DefenceHQ counterparts so we can continue to drive progress in our defense relationship, and visit @RUSI_org to discuss the lessons learned over nearly three years of Russia’s latest war of aggression against #Ukraine️️ and o conflict in the Indo-Pacific. We have achieved a great deal over the last 4 years with our UK Allies, and I look forward to continuing work on those priorities. defense.gov/News/Advisorie…

To all our @DeptofDefense service members and their families: Happy Thanksgiving. During this time of thanks, I am grateful for all you do in service to our nation.

Defense installations are at the core of our Service members' military experience; therefore, it is a national security imperative and our moral obligation to the people who defend our nation to ensure our installations are safe, appealing, and supportive of their well-being. re putting careful planning into action. I look forward to seeing this work take shape in the coming years. There can be no higher priority than ensuring the welfare and safety of the brave Americans who choose to serve this nation and their families. defense.gov/News/Releases/…

Today I attended the Pentagon Native American Heritage Month celebration. Events like this are important reminders of the deeply interwoven tapestry that makes up the story of our nation. The ability to draw on talent across America- including the talents of the thousands of askan Natives who serve in our military today- has been key to building and maintaining the finest fighting force in the world.

This November, we recognize Warrior Care Month to highlight the strength and resilience of our wounded, ill, and injured service members. We must never forget the sacrifices our service members make in support of our nation. For more on DoD’s support to our wounded, ill, and , visit: warriorcare.dodlive.mil

November is Native American Heritage Month. We are grateful for the talents of American Indians and Alaskan Natives who have contributed to our national security.

On this Veterans Day, we honor the service and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans that have enabled all of us to enjoy the freedoms we hold dear.

For more than 200 years, military libraries have supported the intellectual development of the nation’s national security leaders. Join me in celebrating Military Libraries Week from Nov. 10-16 as I share a few of my recent reads.

Read more here: media.defense.gov/2024/Nov/07/20…

Happy 249th Birthday to the U.S. Marine Corps. With a deep, rich legacy, our Marine Corps continues to embody the ideals of self-discipline, warfighting proficiency, professionalism, and personal conduct that have made it a world-famous symbol of strength and freedom. We are ul for all you do.

America's investments in microelectronics matter. Not only do they enable nearly every device essential to modern life, but they power our military. Through the CHIPS and Science Act, we are rebuilding American leadership in chip researching, design, and production at scale. Read /esctGCoXYq

Since 2021, we've accelerated our drive toward a more modernized, data-driven, and #AI-empowered U.S. military. That advancement comes with a deep, world-leading commitment to ethical AI principles, responsible-use policies and directives, and practical applications that turn our the @DeptofDefense, we're committed to living the values we defend. Read more here: defense.gov/News/Speeches/…

Today I spoke about the remarkable accomplishments the Microelectronics Commons has made in just one year since @POTUS signed the CHIPS and Science Act into law. We’ve awarded nearly $700 million - tripling our investments in just 12 months- while also tripling membership in the partisan victory for U.S. national security and economic security — a win that will echo through history for years to come. Read my full remarks here: defense.gov/News/Speeches/…

It was a pleasure to speak at today’s @DODCDAO Responsible AI in Defense Forum. As advances in machine learning yielded new breakthroughs, the @DeptofDefense has led the world in accelerating responsible military use of autonomous systems and #AI. We’re committed to staying in ow AI will only be used and effective where it is trusted and trustworthy. Read my full remarks here: defense.gov/News/Speeches/…

Taking care of our people is a high priority- everything from paying compensation to making sure our warfighters have the equipment they need, the training they need, their family members are taken care of- all of that takes a huge amount of focus and it is worthwhile. It is all o what the taxpayers give to us in order to make sure we can put out the finest fighting force, while keeping the faith with that force and their families.

We are making incredible strides on joint all-domain command and control. We are bringing massive compute capabilities and data together to create decision advantage for our warfighters. Collectively, we are bringing decision advantage to the areas where we need it most.

I was recently asked at @CSIS @Smartwomen how the @DeptofDefense faces multiple crises simultaneously. There's never been a time where we've had the luxury in the United States to really have just one crisis or urgent national security need to focus on. Having a North Star- the gy- aligning strategy to resources, and understanding what those most pressing, most dangerous, most likely contingencies are for which you need to be prepared is the way you do that.

It was great to welcome the Washington @Commanders to the Pentagon to thank them for their work through @WasNFLSalute, partnerships, and support for Veterans. Their work to connect America with our servicemembers benefits our national security and helps to encourage opportunities tion.

I met with Australian Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery @PatConroy1 today to discuss the concretes steps our two countries continue to take to strengthen our defense industrial base cooperation. Read more here: defense.gov/News/Releases/…

When we talk about innovating, we’re talking about changes in how we do things to drive better outcomes. From the top down, that’s what we’re doing- looking for every way in which the @DeptofDefense can deliver better for the warfighter.

From search and rescue to delivering supplies, thousands of Guardsmen and active-duty troops are on the ground to aid local, state, and federal partners with Hurricane Helen relief efforts. We'll continue to ramp up support for all communities impacted until the job is done.

Today I met with the staff at NSWC Indian Head responsible for delivering a full spectrum of energetics solutions from research and development to test and evaluation. These members of our civilian workforce at NSWC Indian Head are critical to the nation’s munitions industrial in-hand with private industry to support our nation’s readiness and defense.

Supporting our warfighters means ensuring we have an industrial base ready to support their needs. On National Manufacturing Day, we celebrate the American workers- the best in the world- who are the backbone of our national defense supply chain. Sites like NSWC Indian Head are ic-private partnership, research, and manufacturing that will help to ensure our service members are prepared for any contingency. It was great to visit today and interact with our workforce charged with meeting complex needs in the field of energetics.

Research and innovation at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division on technologies like directed energy and hypersonics will help to counter unmanned threats to our forces. We must continue to innovate at the speed of warfare, and ensure our warfighters have the tools d to succeed on the modern battlefield. @NSWCDD

Meeting with the members of the civilian workforce in the places they call home is always a rewarding experience. I am grateful for brave Americans who dedicate their careers to supporting our national defense, and appreciate hearing feedback on our efforts to make the oyer of choice. @NSWCDD

It was incredible to see some of our service members compete in this year’s #ParisOlympics. This week, it was my pleasure to host @USArmy’s Olympians and Paralympians during their visit to the Pentagon. We are forever and always, #TeamUSA!

I’m looking forward to visiting the Naval Surface Warfare Centers at Dahlgren and Indian Head tomorrow. Together, these locations are leading research and development in some of our most critical needs, to include munitions, hypersonic, and counter-uncrewed systems technologies. defense.gov/News/Advisorie…

This month, @SecDef Austin announced seven new initiatives to improve quality of live for our service members and their families. We are listening to the needs of our people and spurring action to ensure their needs are being met. For over three years, we have focused on rity, supporting military spouse careers, strengthening family support, making moves easier, ensuring quality housing and facilities, and improving quality of life. This is not a “nice to do” – this is a “must do” to ensure our future readiness and the long-term health of our forces.

Today I met with Indian Foreign Secretary Misri to discuss the significant momentum in the U.S.-India defense relationship and our increased cooperation to support a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Today, we named the newest submarine in the @USNavy, the USS #Baltimore (SSN 812). This new sub and her crew will proudly represent the great city of Baltimore, which has noteworthy ties to American and Naval history. As her sponsor, I look forward to a long relationship with the they carry out their sacred mission to ensure U.S. national security.