Defense Secretary states that “Women in Military Enhance Our Strength”
Lloyd Austin made the comments after his nominated successor, Pete Hegseth, said women should not be in combat roles.
Outgoing Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasized in a Nov. 20 interview the importance of women and racial diversity in the strength and success of the U.S. armed forces.
Austin shared his insights in an interview with NBC News as he prepares to step down after leading the Department of Defense for four years.
“I have spent 41 years in uniform, with extended tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, and I’ve always seen women in our formations on the battlefield,” Austin stated.
He added, “Our women are among the finest troops globally. Frankly, some of the best in the world.”
The discussion came after President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for Austin’s replacement, Pete Hegseth, faced criticism for his past comments regarding women in combat. Hegseth, a former Army National Guard Major who served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Guantanamo Bay, holds two Bronze Stars and a Combat Infantryman’s Badge.
In a recent podcast, Hegseth expressed his view that the military “should not have women in combat roles” and that “men are more capable in those positions.”
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As per a November 2023 Defense Department report, women constituted 17.5 percent of the active-duty U.S. military and 21.6 percent of the selected reserve in 2022.
Austin highlighted that women have a positive impact on readiness, making the military better and stronger. He emphasized, “What I’ve witnessed from our women is truly remarkable, not an exaggeration, but a fact.”
In addition to calling for the removal of women from combat roles, Hegseth indicated plans to eliminate military officials supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, which are often criticized by Republicans for allegedly weakening military readiness.
While Austin refrained from speculating on this issue, he stressed that despite being a meritocracy, the military values diversity.
“We are a diverse nation and will continue to be so. Our military will also remain diverse,” Austin confirmed.
“The issue was thoroughly investigated, and I was completely exonerated,” Hegseth informed reporters at the Capitol, describing the affair in question as consensual.
Regarding Hegseth’s selection as his successor, Austin acknowledged, “The president-elect has the prerogative to nominate anyone for any position, and we fully respect that.”
When asked about Trump’s intentions to utilize the military for widespread deportations of undocumented immigrants in the U.S., Austin declined to comment, reiterating that the law governs the military’s operations.
“I trust our senior leaders to always make the right decisions and recommendations to their superiors,” Austin stated.
President Joe Biden appointed Austin, a four-star general, as defense secretary in 2021.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
