Pentagon leadership has not yet met with representatives of President-elect Donald Trump’s Administration, but the first conversations are expected this week, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Monday. “We’re ready to welcome them, and help the new team to get started,” Carter said at an event in Washington, D.C., sponsored by The Atlantic magazine. “We’re committed to the transition to the new Commander in Chief.” Carter said he was proud that his administration “adhered to the tradition to stand apart from the political process.” Carter last week sent out a memo to Defense Department staff urging the “orderly transition” to the Trump Administration.
The Air Force’s recruiting momentum is showing no signs of slowing in 2026, and leaders are already thinking about how they might get after even bigger goals in 2027 and beyond.
