Lloyd Austin is an American retired four-star general in the United States Army. He served as the 28th Secretary of Defense, a position he assumed in January 2021. Austin is notable for being the first African American to hold this role, overseeing the nation's military and advising the President on defense matters. Before his appointment as Secretary of Defense, Austin held various leadership positions, including commanding the U.S. Central Command, where he was responsible for military operations in the Middle East. He has a distinguished military career, having graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point and earning numerous awards for his service.