Archive: Derek Chollet

This account has been archived. For the most up-to-date information, please follow @DeptofDefense.

It has been the deepest privilege and honor to serve as the Chief of Staff to @SecDef for the past 3.5 years. Going forward, this account will be administered by the incoming Chief of Staff to the Secretary of Defense, Derek Chollet.

🇺🇦🇺🇸 Minister @rustem_umerov met with US @SecDef Lloyd Austin on the sidelines of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group #UDCG. It is important to note that Ukraine and the USA will sign a bilateral security agreement at the G7 summit this week.

On June 12, we celebrate Women Veterans Day and the anniversary of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act, which paved the way for women to officially serve in all U.S. military branches. Today and every day, I thank our women service members and veterans for their contributions to keep our Nation safe and secure.

A brief interaction with Captain Demo up on the bridge of the Mighty Ike… Demo is two years old and he is trained to live on a warship. His mission is to interact with Sailors and reduce stress. He definitely improves my mood, but then again I’m the guy with a snack always ready… thus, he and I both benefit.

Alongside @POTUS, I met with President Zelenskyy in France yesterday. We held productive talks today about how the U.S. alongside some 50 nations will continue to support Ukraine against Putin’s aggression. We will continue to stand by Ukraine for the long haul.

Eighty years after D-Day, I am honored to return to Normandy American Cemetery in France to pay tribute to the incredibly brave American and Allied troops who defeated the evil of Nazism, won the largest war in history, and helped forge today’s open world of rules and rights.

I met in Cambodia today with Prime Minister Hun Manet, a fellow West Point graduate. We discussed how the United States and Cambodia can strengthen our defense relationship in support of regional peace and stability.

I met with U.S. @SecDef Lloyd Austin on the margins of the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue. We discussed the key issues: the defense needs of our country, bolstering Ukraine's air defense system, the F-16 coalition, and drafting of a bilateral security agreement. I am grateful to @POTUS for making an important decision regarding defensive strikes with American weapons on the enemy territory to effectively counter Russian attempts to expand the combat zone. We appreciate the vital defense and political support for Ukraine from the United States.

I spoke with Minister Shin in Singapore about how the United States and the Republic of Korea are continuing to strengthen our alliance in support of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula—and across the Indo-Pacific.

I applaud Minister Kihara & Minister Shin on their new agreements to strengthen defense ties between Japan & the ROK. Stronger bilateral cooperation between each of our countries advances trilateral cooperation among all of our countries. defense.gov/News/Releases/…

I spoke with Minister @Prabowo today in Singapore at a time of historic momentum in the U.S.-Indonesia relationship.   We’re doing more than ever to advance our bilateral defense cooperation.

It was a pleasure to meet with 🇸🇬 Minister Ng today.     Singapore remains one of our most valued defense partners. I look forward to building on our strong foundation as we advance our shared vision for peace and security together.

Prime Minister Wong—it’s great to be in Singapore for the Shangri-La Dialogue, an important forum where we discuss pathways to tackle global security challenges.     The U.S. is proud of our robust relationship with Singapore, and I look forward to our continued partnership.

I met today with the PRC’s Minister of National Defense for the first time since November 2022. Admiral Dong and I discussed regional and global security issues, U.S.-PRC defense relations, and the importance of open lines of military-to-military communication.   defense.gov/News/Releases/…

This Armed Forces Day, Jill and I thank all those who took an oath to defend our Constitution. We have no greater responsibility than to equip those we send into harm’s way and care for them when they come home. May God protect those who wear the uniform of the United States.

Thank you, @SecDef, for taking the time to congratulate @SCSTATE1896's esteemed class of 2024.   I'm grateful for your pioneering efforts to foster strong relationships between the Department of Defense and HBCUs.

NEWS: @SecDef Lloyd J. Austin III Calls on South Carolina State Grads to Lead, Serve defense.gov/News/News-Stor…

LIVE: @SecDef Lloyd J. Austin III gives the commencement address at the @SCSTATE1896 spring graduation. twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1…

Today, I met with my 🇩🇪 counterpart Boris Pistorius. German partnership in support of Ukraine and within the NATO Alliance is critical – always important to exchange views with a close Ally. #WeAreNATO defense.gov/News/Releases/…