{"id":47180,"date":"2020-12-09T21:12:50","date_gmt":"2020-12-09T21:12:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2020\/12\/09\/biden-secdef-choice-a-recently-retired-general-says-hes-prepared-to-embrace-civilian-mindset\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T13:18:14","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T13:18:14","slug":"biden-secdef-choice-a-recently-retired-general-says-hes-prepared-to-embrace-civilian-mindset","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/smr\/transition\/2020\/12\/09\/biden-secdef-choice-a-recently-retired-general-says-hes-prepared-to-embrace-civilian-mindset\/","title":{"rendered":"Biden SECDEF choice, a recently retired general, says he\u2019s prepared to embrace civilian mindset"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Retired Army Gen. Lloyd Austin<\/a> made his first public remarks on Wednesday after President-elect Joe Biden selected him for defense secretary<\/a>, making his case that he can be trusted to run the Defense Department like a civilian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Austin\u2019s potential appointment has drawn backlash from both sides of the aisle, as critics argue that his recent, decades-long military career<\/a> is not the best fit for the tradition of civilian control of the armed forces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is an important distinction, and one that I make with utmost seriousness and sincerity,\u201d Austin said of taking off the uniform four years ago. \u201cI recognize that being a member of the president\u2019s Cabinet requires a different perspective and unique responsibilities from a career in uniform. And I intend to keep this at the forefront of my mind.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Austin last served at the head of U.S. Central Command, capping off more than 40 years as an infantry officer that began at the United States Military Academy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By law, a former service member needs to have spent seven years out of uniform before being nominated to lead DoD, and Austin\u2019s nomination would mark two administrations in a row who tapped recently retired generals to lead the department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c…(the) Mattis waiver was supposed to be a one off, not the start of a trend that\u2019s bad for civ-mil relations,\u201d Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., a Marine Corps veteran, wrote on Twitter Monday night, speaking of former Defense Secretary James Mattis, a retired Marine Corps general, as well as a former CENTCOM commander.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c…former generals as SecDef should be the exception not the norm,\u201d Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., an Army veteran, also tweeted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris repeatedly referred to Austin as \u201cGeneral\u201d in their remarks, calling into question whether he has truly distanced himself from his former role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or they have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI want to thank you, Gen. Austin, for once more stepping forward to serve this nation,\u201d Biden said. \u201cThis is not a post he sought, but I sought him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Biden pointed to Austin\u2019s track record working with partners and allies, as well as the logistical experience that will be required to support DoD\u2019s role in the Operation Warp Speed COVID-19 vaccine <\/a>effort, as evidence of his qualifications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a good reason for this law, that I fully understand and respect, and I would not be asking for this exception if I did not believe this moment in history called for it,\u201d Biden said. \u201cIt does call for it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t