Aug. 9, 2021 Biden to Approve Austin's Request to Make COVID-19 Vaccine Mandatory for Service Members By mid-September, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III will request a waiver from President Joe Biden to make the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory for service members, Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby said.
Jan. 22, 2021 New Defense Secretary Arrives at Pentagon, Convenes COVID Meeting Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III arrived at the Pentagon today and hit the ground running, greeting the senior staff and then immediately heading into meetings on combating coronavirus.