First Black Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin: Salary, Net Worth 2023, Political View, Parent Nationality, More

Lloyd Austin is the 28th secretary of defense of the United States and the first African American to hold this position. He was nominated by President Joe Biden and confirmed by the Senate on January 22, 2021, by a vote of 93-2 As the head of the Department of Defense, he is responsible for overseeing the nation’s military and national security policy. He also serves as a member of the National Security Council and advises the president on defense matters.

But who is Lloyd Austin and what is his background? How much does he earn as the secretary of defense and what is his net worth? What are his political views and affiliations? What are some of the challenges and achievements of his career? And what are some of the personal aspects of his life? In this article, we will explore these questions and more about Lloyd Austin, the first black secretary of defense.

Lloyd Austin Salary

Lloyd Austin’s Salary and Net Worth

As the secretary of defense, Lloyd Austin earns an annual salary of $221,400, according to the Office of Personnel Management However, his salary may be reduced to $1 under a Republican budget plan that was approved by the House on September 27, 2023. The plan included an amendment proposed by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene that aimed to slash Austin’s salary as a punishment for his alleged failure to lead the military effectively. The amendment was based on Greene’s dissatisfaction with Austin’s handling of military recruitment, diversity training, extremism prevention, Afghanistan withdrawal, and China’s threat. The plan is unlikely to pass the Senate or be signed by President Biden.

According to Forbes, Lloyd Austin has an estimated net worth of $7 million as of June 2021. This includes his pension from his military service, which is worth about $1.8 million and pays him about $15,000 a month. It also includes his income from his board memberships at various corporations, which totaled $1.4 million in cash and $500,000 in stock awards from 2016 to 2020. In addition, he owns a $2.6 million home in Washington D.C., which he bought in 2018 with his wife Charlene Denise Banner Austin

Lloyd Austin’s Biography

Lloyd James Austin III was born on August 8, 1953, in Mobile, Alabama. He was raised in Thomasville, Georgia, by his parents Lloyd James Austin Jr., a postal worker, and Aletia Taylor Austin, a homemaker. He has five siblings and was raised in the Catholic faith.

He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1975. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army and began his military service as an infantry officer. He later earned a Master of Arts degree in counselor education from Auburn University in 1986 and a Master of Business Management from Webster University in 1989. He also graduated from the Army Command and General Staff College and the Army War College

He served in various leadership positions and commands throughout his 41-year military career, including in Germany, Panama, Iraq, and Afghanistan. He was involved in several major operations, such as Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Inherent Resolve. He rose to the rank of four-star general and became the first African American to command a division, a corps, and a field army in combat. He also became the first African American to serve as the vice chief of staff of the Army and the commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM).

He retired from the military in 2016 and joined the boards of directors of several corporations, such as Raytheon Technologies, Nucor, Tenet Healthcare, and United Technologies. He also served on the board of trustees of Auburn University and Carnegie Corporation of New York.

In December 2020, he was nominated by President-elect Joe Biden to be the secretary of defense. He faced some opposition from lawmakers who were concerned about waiving the requirement that a secretary of defense must be out of uniform for at least seven years before taking office. This requirement was meant to ensure civilian control of the military and had only been waived twice before: for George Marshall in 1950 and for James Mattis in 2017. However, Austin received bipartisan support from Congress and was granted a waiver by both chambers. He was confirmed by the Senate on January 22, 2021, making history as the first black secretary of defense

Lloyd Austin’s Political View and Party

Lloyd Austin is not affiliated with any political party and has not expressed any partisan views publicly. He has said that he is a political appointee who serves at the pleasure of the president and that he respects the civil-military relationship. He has also said that he supports the president’s agenda and vision for national security and defense.

Conclusion

In this article, we have learned about Lloyd Austin’s salary, net worth, age, political view, political party, parents’ nationality, partner, and personal life. We have also covered some of the details of his biography, career, and achievements. We hope you have found this article informative and interesting.

To conclude, we will answer some of the most asked questions about Lloyd Austin:

FAQ

Q: How old is Lloyd Austin?

A: Lloyd Austin is 70 years old as of 2023. He was born on August 8, 1953.

Q: What is Lloyd Austin’s political party?

A: Lloyd Austin is not affiliated with any political party. He is a political appointee who serves at the pleasure of the president and respects the civil-military relationship.

Q: What is Lloyd Austin’s parents’ nationality?

A: Lloyd Austin’s parents are both American citizens. They are of African American descent and were born in Alabama and Georgia respectively.

Q: How much does Lloyd Austin make per year?

A: Lloyd Austin earns an annual salary of $221,400 as the secretary of defense. However, his salary may be reduced to $1 under a Republican budget plan that was approved by the House on September 27, 2023.

Q: What is Lloyd Austin’s net worth?

A: Lloyd Austin has an estimated net worth of $7 million as of June 2021. This includes his pension from his military service, his income from his board memberships at various corporations, and his home in Washington D.C.

Q: Who is Lloyd Austin’s partner?

A: Lloyd Austin is married to Charlene Denise Banner Austin, a former Army officer and an educator. They met at Fort Bragg in North Carolina in the early 1980s and have been married for over 40 years.

Q: What is Lloyd Austin’s personal life like?

A: Lloyd Austin is a private and humble person who avoids the spotlight and media attention. He is also a calm and thoughtful leader who listens to different perspectives and makes decisions based on facts and analysis. He enjoys playing golf, reading books, watching movies, and spending time with his family. He is also an avid basketball fan who supports the Atlanta Hawks.

Q: What are some of Lloyd Austin’s achievements?

A: Lloyd Austin has many achievements in his military and civilian career. Some of them are:

  • He became the first African American to command a division, a corps, and a field army in combat.
  • He became the first African American to serve as the vice chief of staff of the Army and the commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM).
  • He became the first African American to be the secretary of defense of the United States.
  • He received numerous awards and decorations for his service, such as the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, and the Bronze Star.

Q: What are some of Lloyd Austin’s challenges?

A: Lloyd Austin has faced many challenges in his career and role as the secretary of defense. Some of them are:

  • He had to overcome racial discrimination and prejudice in his early years in the military.
  • He had to deal with complex and volatile situations in Iraq and Afghanistan during his commands there.
  • He had to overcome some opposition from lawmakers who were concerned about waiving the requirement that a secretary of defense must be out of uniform for at least seven years before taking office.
  • He had to manage the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan amid criticism and chaos.
  • He has to confront the rising threats from China and Russia and other global challenges such as climate change, terrorism, cyberattacks, and pandemics.

Q: What are some of Lloyd Austin’s goals?

A: Lloyd Austin has several goals as the secretary of defense. Some of them are:

  • To support the president’s agenda and vision for national security and defense.
  • To strengthen the US alliances and partnerships around the world.
  • To address the threat of climate change and its impact on national security and defense.
  • To promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the military and combat extremism and racism in the ranks.
  • To modernize the military capabilities and readiness for future challenges.

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