Defense Secretary Austin Recovers After Hospitalization Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III is on the mend and has resumed full duties of his office following complications from an elective medical procedure. Austin, who remains hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, is in good spirits and continues to recover. He has regained operational control and is actively monitoring Defense Department operations worldwide, according to Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder. Austin was admitted to Walter Reed’s ICU on Jan. 1 due to severe pain post-procedure. Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks temporarily took over certain responsibilities until Austin resumed his duties on the evening of January 5​​​​​​.

Marine Corps Commandant Undergoes Heart Surgery Gen. Eric M. Smith, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, recently underwent successful open-heart surgery to repair a bicuspid aortic valve. This surgery, performed on Jan. 8, follows a period of hospitalization for Smith, who experienced a cardiac arrest more than two months ago. The surgery’s success marks a significant step in Gen. Smith’s recovery and return to his duties as the Commandant​