Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III named speaker for USAFA Class of ’22 Graduation
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (KRDO) -- Friday, the United State Air Force Academy announced the commencement speaker for the class of 2022 Graduation Ceremony. On May 25, 2022, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III will address the graduating class.
According to the Department of Defense, Austin was born in Mobile, Alabama. He went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree and a commission in the infantry from the United States Military Academy. He received a Master of Arts degree in counselor education from Auburn University and a Master of Business Management from Webster University.
His 41-year career in the U.S. Army included command at the corps, division, battalion, and brigade levels. According to the DOD, he was awarded the Silver Star for his leadership of the Army's 3rd Infantry Division during the invasion of Iraq in 2003. He would later assume the duties of Commanding General of United States Force - Iraq, overseeing all combat operations in the country.
Austin retired from the Army in 2016.
He was sworn in as the 28th Secretary of Defense on Jan. 22, 2021. He currently serves as the principal assistant to the President in all matters relating to the Department of Defense and serves on the National Security Council.
While the 2022 U.S. Air Force Academy Graduation is closed to the public for in-person attendance, the ceremony will be live-streamed.
