Carter Administration

Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton Carter will discuss the Pentagon's ongoing Strategic Choices and Management Review and the department's efficiencies initiatives at the National Press Club next Tuesday morning (May 7). The press conference was initially scheduled for today, but had to be postponed due to a scheduling conflict. The review, which Carter is spearheading, is due to conclude by May 31.

"This review will examine the choices that underlie our defense strategy, posture, and investments, identify the opportunities to more efficiently and effectively structure the department, and develop options to deal with the wide range of future budgetary circumstances," Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said when unveiling the department's fiscal year 2014 budget request at an April 10 press briefing. As we reported earlier this week, Hagel attended a Strategic Choices and Management Review meeting for the first time on Tuesday.

Carter is also scheduled to speak Friday evening (May 3) at a National Defense Industrial Association dinner, where he will accept NDIA's Eisenhower Award for his contributions toward increasing public awareness of U.S. national defense needs.