Wednesday, January 20, 2021

In Formation

 

Service members with the Joint Armed Forces Honor Guard position themselves during rehearsal for the 59th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C., Jan. 18, 2021.

Trumpet Practice

 

The U.S. Army Herald Trumpets practice on the east side of the Capitol Building during the rehearsal for the 59th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C., Jan 18, 2021. Since its founding in 1959, the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets has become a vital part of numerous historic events.

DOD Succession Plan Remains in Effect Until Senate Confirms Biden Nominees

 Jan. 20, 2021 | BY Jim Garamone , DOD News

Deputy Defense Secretary David L. Norquist has been sworn in as the acting defense secretary and will serve in the position until the Senate confirms the Biden administration's nominee for the position.

The change in administrations will have a cascading effect within the Defense Department. At noon today, the resignations of Trump administration political appointees became effective.

A man walks down a hall carrying a cup as others follow.

Yet, the missions of the department must continue, and officials made plans to place interim leaders in these crucial jobs. "The incoming Biden administration has reviewed these plans and reached out to officials across the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the military department to confirm the succession plan the new administration intends to implement for all presidentially-appointed, Senate-confirmed positions," Norquist wrote in a memo to senior defense leaders.

These employees will serve in an acting capacity or in a "performing the duties of" capacity until new political appointees arrive.

Usually, the defense secretary is confirmed when a new president takes office. This year, President Biden's nominee for defense secretary, Lloyd J. Austin III, did not get a confirmation hearing until January 19th – too late for the full Senate to confirm him. Austin's case is further complicated by the fact that as a retired general he needs a waiver from both houses of Congress to serve in the position.

A man stands at a podium in front of a microphone with a large flag on a stand to his right; an oval sign on the wall behind him bears an image of a five-sided building and the words "The Pentagon".

More than 50 positions will be filled on an interim basis. In addition to Norquist, they include John E. Whitley as Army secretary, Thomas W. Harker as Navy secretary, and John P. Roth as Air Force secretary.

In addition, Amanda J. Dory will perform the duties of undersecretary of defense for policy; Terence G. Emmert will perform the duties of undersecretary for research and engineering; Douglas Glenn will perform the duties of DOD comptroller/chief financial officer; and Virginia S. Penrod will perform the duties of undersecretary of personnel and readiness. 

The duties of the undersecretary for intelligence and security will be performed by David M. Taylor, and Paul S. Koffsky will perform the duties of DOD general counsel.

Some of those who are "performing the duties of" will also hold other positions. For example, Dory will also perform the duties of assistant secretary for strategy, plans and capabilities.

Once a Biden political appointee is approved by the Senate, those serving in these positions will revert to their normal jobs.

Rehearsal March

 

Ceremonial marchers participate in a rehearsal for the 59th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C., Jan. 18, 2021.

Acting Secretary of Defense David L. Norquist Statement on Inauguration Day

 Jan. 20, 2021


Today our nation swore in Joseph R. Biden Jr. as the 46th President of the United States and Commander in Chief of our military force, as well as Kamala D. Harris as the 49th Vice President of the United States.

The peaceful transition of power is a hallmark of our nation and our democracy. I send my sincere appreciation and gratitude to the roughly 28,000 National Guard and active duty military members who are assisting local law enforcement in maintaining our nation’s legacy and preserving our future.

More broadly, the Department of Defense remains ready to provide forces that deter war and protect the security of our nation. We look forward to seamlessly onboarding the incoming Administration so America may maintain its strategic advantage and vast partnerships.

Germany Jump

 

Army paratroopers conduct airborne operations during an emergency deployment readiness exercise at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Jan. 20, 2021.

New Officials Sworn-in at the Department of Defense

 Jan. 20, 2021


The following individuals were sworn-in virtually or in-person today at the Pentagon: 

•    Adil Ahmed, Attorney Advisor, Office of the General Counsel, Department of the Army 
•    Terry Adirim, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs
•    Scott Arceneaux, Special Assistant for White House Liaison Office
•    Patricia Barron, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Community and Family Policy, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness
•    Susanna Blume, performing the duties of Director, Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation 
•    Tanya Bradsher, Senior Director for Partnerships and Global Engagement 
•    Melissa Dalton, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans and Capabilities
•    Morgan Dwyer, Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering
•    Beth Foster, Senior Advisor, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness  
•    Beth George, Principal Deputy General Counsel
•    Ozge Guzelsu, Deputy General Counsel (Legislation) 
•    Storm Horncastle, Residential Manager and Social Secretary of the Vice President
•    Brian Katz, Special Assistant to the Under Secretary of Defense (Intelligence & Security) 
•    Jongsun Kim, Deputy Comptroller for Budget and Appropriations Affairs, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense  (Comptroller)
•    John Kirby, Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs
•    Kelly Magsamen, Chief of Staff to the Secretary of Defense
•    Christopher Maier, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations / Low Intensity Conflict 
•    Farouk Ophaso, Senior Advisor, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller)
•    Ely Ratner, Special Assistant to the Secretary of Defense (China)
•    Eric Ridge, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy and Force Development
•    Max Rose, Special Assistant to the Secretary of Defense (Senior Advisor, COVID-19)
•    Tommy Ross, Chief of Staff to the Secretary of the Navy, Department of the Navy
•    Leonor Tomero, Deputy Assistant Director for Nuclear and Missile Defense Programs 
•    Veronica Valdez, Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs
•    Matthew Williams, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Senate Affairs

Imagery Link: https://www.dvidshub.net/image/6488524/dod-officials-sworn

Sergeant of the Guard

 

Army Sgt. 1st Class Chelsea Porterfield, sergeant of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, renders honors during a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, Va., Jan. 20, 2021. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris placed the wreath after Biden was sworn in as the 46th president during a ceremony at the Capitol earlier in the day.

Leafy Landing

 

A Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey prepares to land during a drill at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Jan. 14, 2021.

Rehearsal Ceremony

 

The U.S. Army Band Herald Trumpets rehearse for the presidential inauguration ceremony in Washington, D.C., Jan. 18, 2021.

Rehearsal March

 

A member of the U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps participates in a rehearsal for the 59th presidential inauguration in Washington, Jan. 18, 2021.

Night Watch

 

Air Force Senior Airman Alexis Williams guards a C-17 Globemaster III during a training exercise at Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station, Jan. 19, 2021.

DOD Announces New Acting Secretary of Defense, Service Secretaries

 Jan. 20, 2021


At 12:01 p.m., Jan. 20, David L. Norquist assumed the duties of Acting Secretary of Defense. In his capacity as acting secretary, Norquist will maintain continuity and readiness of the Department until a defense secretary is confirmed. Norquist has served as the Deputy Secretary of Defense since July 2019.

The acting secretary of the Army is John Whitley. The acting secretary of the Navy is Tom Harker. The acting secretary of the Air Force is John Roth.