The Pentagon, headquarters of the US Department of Defense, Arlington, VA (credit Wikipedia)
By Gary Raynaldo DIPLOMATIC TIMES
President Biden on Wednesday made his first visit to the Pentagon since taking office where he promising unity and vowed never to politicize the U.S. military. Vice President Kamala Harris joined the President at the Pentagon. Before he delved into his speech to Pentagon personnel, President Biden announced announced steps the U.S. has taken to “impose costs” on those responsible for the recent military coup in Burma. Biden stated that often, the nation’s Armed Forces and the Department of Defense staff are how the rest of the world encounters America. Trump was said by many to have used the U.S. military to promote his own political agenda. Then there was the infamous report that Trump once privately called American soldiers killed during World War One “losers” and “suckers”.
“You’re incredible heroes and incredible patriots. I will never, ever dishonest you — dishonor you. I will never disrespect you. I will never politicize the work you do. As your Commander-in-Chief, I will never hesitate to use force to defend the vital interests of the American people and our allies around the world when necessary. The central, indispensable mission of the Department of Defense is to deter aggression from our enemies and, if required, to fight and win wars to keep America safe. But I believe force should be a tool of last resort, not first. I understand the full weight of what it means to ask young, proud Americans to stand in the breach.”
-President Biden
President Joe Biden speaks to members of the Defense Department during a visit to the Pentagon along with Vice President Kamala Harris, Feb. 10, 2021. (Photo: White House photo)
The president pledged to work with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and leaders around the world to bring a “responsible end to wars that have dragged on for far too long” while continuing to ensure that terrorist threats cannot endanger the security of the American people. Biden said he got to know Secretary Austin when the Army General was serving as commander of U.S. Forces in Iraq. “It wasn’t just his excellent military leadership the many times I met him there, and his strategy; he was a consummate diplomat as well. He worked closely with our ambassador to build relationships with both civilian and military leaders of our coalition partners. Because we are better able to project our power when we’re amplifying our strength through our alliances, it was so important.”
President Biden announced the formation of a DOD China Task Force
to provide a baseline assessment of department policies, programs and processes in regard to the challenge China poses.
“We need to meet the growing challenges posed by China to keep the peace and defend our interests in the Indo-Pacific and globally. Today, I was briefed on a new DOD-wide China task force that Secretary Austin is standing up to look at our strategy and operational concepts, technology, and force posture, and so much more.” -President Biden.
Defense Secretary Austin and newly sworn in Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen H. Hicks have called China the “pacing threat” for America in this era of strategic competition. President said the task force will work quickly, drawing on civilian and military experts across the Department, to provide, within the next few months, recommendations to Defense Secretary Austin on key priorities and decision points “so that we can chart a strong path forward on China-related matters. It will require a whole-of-government effort, bipartisan cooperation in Congress, and strong alliances and partnerships.”
President Biden Pays Homage To Black Soldiers in the U.S. Military
“February is Black History Month, as the Vice President pointed out. Before we leave today, Vice President Harris and I are going to visit the hall honoring the long history of black Americans fighting for this country, even when their contributions were not always recognized or honored appropriately. Imagine the incredible love it must have taken for the proud Tuskegee Airmen to fly more than 15,000 sorties in battle, when their own freedom was not fully realized in their own country. Imagine the bravery of the 22 African Americans awarded the Medal of Honor for their service in the Vietnam War while struggling for civil rights at home was continuing. It’s all part of a long history of barrier-breaking service.” the President stated.
Diversity In U.S. Armed Forces
“Right now, more than 40 percent of our active-duty forces are people of color. And it’s long past time that the full diversity and full strength of our force is reflected at every level of this Department, including our Secretary of Defense. ” – President Biden
