Who is in charge of the Pentagon?

The individual in charge of the Pentagon is the Secretary of Defense. This role is held by the civilian head of the United States Department of Defense, overseeing all military branches and operations.

Current Secretary of Defense

As of the current administration, the 28th Secretary of Defense is **Lloyd J. Austin III**. He was sworn into office on January 22, 2021.

Here are some key details about his background and role:

Role	Name	Sworn In Date	Key Background Highlights
Secretary of Defense	Lloyd J. Austin III	January 22, 2021	28th individual to hold the position. A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. Served 41 years in uniform, retiring as a four-star Army general. Previously served three years as Commander of U.S. Central Command.

The Role of the Secretary of Defense

The Secretary of Defense is the principal advisor to the President on defense policy and is responsible for the overall administration of the Department of Defense. This includes:

• Policy Development: Shaping and implementing national defense policy.
• Budget Management: Overseeing the vast budget of the Department of Defense.
• Military Operations: Providing civilian command and control over the U.S. armed forces.
• Strategic Planning: Leading the strategic planning for national security.

The Pentagon, located in Arlington, Virginia, serves as the headquarters for the Department of Defense. It is one of the world's largest office buildings and the nerve center for U.S. military command and operations worldwide. Therefore, whoever holds the position of Secretary of Defense is ultimately in charge of the Pentagon and its immense responsibilities.

For more information on the Department of Defense and its leadership, you can visit the official website of the Department of Defense.