A sacred oath: memoirs of a Secretary of Defense during extraordinary times

Introduction: A meeting like no other

First days, early warnings

An army renaissance

War with Iran begins in Iraq

Civilian control and reform of the Pentagon

Tehran escalates

America strikes

The politics of building a better navy

The Afghanistan dilemma

COVID: a tragic, epic fight

Operation Warp Speed

Desperate measures

The republic wobbles

A walk in the park

Hard days and long nights

Making lemonade

A salute to America?

Pride, promotions, and politics

Lost causes and important ones

China, China, China

America's strategic advantage

Unrest in the northwest

October surprises

Endgame

Epilogue

Appendix A: The army vision

Appendix B: June 24, 2019, initial message to the department

Appendix C: June 2, 2020, message to the department, support to civil authorities

Appendix D: June 3, 2020, press conference in the Pentagon briefing room

Appendix E: November 9, 2020, final message to the department

Appendix F: November 9, 2020, letter to the president

Appendix G: January 6, 2021, tweets regarding the assault on Capitol Hill

Appendix H: January 3, 2021, Washington Post opinion piece authored by the ten living former Secretaries of Defense.