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.