Secretary of Defense visits Joint Base Lewis-McChord

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Seth Coulter | 160304-N-JY507-028 TACOMA, Wash. (March 4, 2016) – Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter speaks to U.S. service members from commands throughout the Pacific Northwest during a troop talk at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. In the last day of his trip to the West Coast to strengthen ties between the Defense Department and the technology community, the secretary said the active-duty, National Guard and reserve service members who work jointly at the installation constitute a significant asset as the military faces challenges such as the rebalance to the Asia-Pacific region, Chinese and Russian aggression, North Korean threats, Iran, and the accelerated fight to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. (US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Seth Coulter/Released)  

TACOMA, WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES

03.04.2016

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Seth Coulter  

Navy Public Affairs Support Element, Det. Northwest

TACOMA, Wash. – Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) Ashton Carter spoke with U.S service members during a troop talk at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, March 4.

In the last day of his trip to the West Coast, the secretary said the active-duty, National Guard and reserve service members who work at the installation constitute a significant asset as the military faces challenges such as the rebalance to the Asia-Pacific region, Chinese and Russian aggression, North Korean threats, Iran, and the accelerated fight to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

“We are here not only to protect our people, but to leave something for our children,” said Carter. “You represent a terrific relationship between the military community and the larger national community. It’s very important to our country.”

As much as Carter talked about the future of military preparedness he also praised service members who are at the forefront of protecting the country.

“It was nice for him to come and praise all of the armed forces for what they have done and continue to do,” said Sonar Technician 2nd Class Elijah Tuttle, stationed with USS Michigan (SSGN 727), from Beaverton, Oregon.

Many service members were chosen in representing their commands, while getting a chance to meet the SECDEF.

“For me this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet someone I would have never had the ability to meet outside of the military and it was and honor to be selected to be here,” said Missile Technician 2nd Class Samuel Blevins, stationed with USS Michigan (SSGN 727), from Knoxville, Tennessee.

Under the SECDEF, the mission of the Department of Defense (DOD) is to provide the necessary military forces to deter war along with the protecting and security of the United States of America, which is headquartered at the Pentagon.

“The SECDEF is the principal defense policy adviser to the President and is responsible for the formulation of general defense policy and policy related to all matters of direct concern to the Department of Defense, and for the execution of approved policy,” according to his website. “Under the direction of the President, the Secretary exercises authority, direction and control over the Department of Defense. The SECDEF is a member of the President's Cabinet and of the National Security Council.”

For more information on the SECDEF, visit http://www.defense.gov.

• Date Taken: 03.04.2016
• Date Posted: 03.05.2016 01:33
• Story ID: 191215
• Location: TACOMA, WASHINGTON, US