WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin warned that troop readiness and retention is at risk as the Army’s chief stepped down Friday, leaving the military’s two ground combat forces without Senate-confirmed leaders for the first time in history.
Speaking during a ceremony at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Austin said the Senate’s failure to confirm the services’ new leaders is disruptive to the force and could impact relationships with allies and partners around the globe.
One thing the Pentagon doesn’t mention is that there are already people who will be the acting leaders so they are not leadership. Someone is still doing the job, they just have the word acting in front of their title.
“Actings” generally can do some but not all of the things that a confirmed candidate can do.