This week marks 200 days since President Donald J. Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth assumed their roles as the top two leaders of the U.S. military.
"In 200 days, the department has made an unprecedented impact not only for our warfighters, but in strengthening the United States military to be the most lethal fighting force in the world," said Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson during the department's Weekly Sitrep video.
"Under the steadfast leadership of President Trump and Secretary Hegseth, recruitment is soaring, the department is prioritizing American drone dominance, we're refocused on standards and the United States military remains unmatched in its capabilities," Wilson said.
Fort Bliss, home to more than 90,000 soldiers and family members across over 1,700 square miles in El Paso, Texas, will soon assume a new role in defending the homeland.
"Secretary Hegseth approved [Department of Homeland Security] access and use of the land at Fort Bliss, Texas — where DOD is focused on developing the detention center at Fort Bliss," Wilson said. "Once completed, this will be the largest federal detention center in history for this critical mission, the deportation of illegal aliens."
Construction of the detention facility began in July. It is expected to have an initial capacity of 1,000 detainees, and Wilson stated that it would be expanded to accommodate about 5,000 at a later date.
In Washington, the Reconciliation Monument, first erected in Arlington National Cemetery in 1917 and later removed in December 2023, will now return to its original location.
"Secretary Hegseth ... announced that Moses Ezekiel's beautiful and historic sculpture ... will be rightfully returned to Arlington National Cemetery near his burial site," Wilson said. "Like the secretary said, 'We don't believe in erasing American history — we honor it.'"
Ezekiel, who died in 1921, was buried in Arlington National Cemetery near the monument he created. Earlier this week, Wilson referred to him as "a true artist and an incredible person."
The Army expects to reinstall the sculpture in 2027 after it has undergone complete refurbishment.
Service members who plan to leave the military but still feel compelled to serve their country have a new option for that service at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
"For service members transitioning out of the military, your mission to protect the homeland can continue," Wilson said. "We'd like to introduce you to DOD SkillBridge, which is a program for service members to continue serving through civilian work at ICE and CBP. Your skills are needed to carry out the president's vision to protect the border and protect Americans here at home."
Under recent guidance from the secretary, military departments will encourage service members considering participation in the SkillBridge program to seek internships, apprenticeships or on-the-job training with either ICE or CBP.
As part of SkillBridge, service members can spend up to 180 days before their separation from service to learn job skills in nearly 10,000 areas, helping them prepare for civilian employment. In many cases, the same business or agency may offer the service member a job upon completion of their participation in the program.
By encouraging participation in SkillBridge with ICE and CBP, the Defense Department provides those agencies with access to its most valuable asset: its people. It also provides DHS with the opportunity to recruit the best and brightest personnel, who may one day, after completing their SkillBridge training and separating from the military, find employment within DHS and be available to support the southern border mission.
Wilson said service members interested in SkillBridge can visit the program's website at skillbridge.osd.mil.
This week, the nation and the Defense Department commemorated Purple Heart Day.
"Here at the department, we honor the courage and sacrifice of all Purple Heart recipients," Wilson said. "The Purple Heart is the nation's oldest military award, and we reflect on the valor of the men and women who have given so much for our freedom. We continue to honor their legacy and extend our gratitude for their unwavering service."
The Purple Heart is awarded to service members who were wounded or killed by an instrument of war in the hands of an enemy or while prisoners of war. More than 1.8 million service members have been recognized with a Purple Heart.
"We are grateful for their selfless service," Hegseth said of those recipients. "We will never forget their heroism, and we strive to possess their courage."
Finally, earlier this week, five soldiers were shot during an attack at Fort Stewart, Georgia. Further harm was prevented when other nearby soldiers acted selflessly to bring the attack to an end.
"The department and Secretary Hegseth would like to extend our prayers to the five service members who were wounded in a cowardly shooting at Fort Stewart," Wilson said. "We are relieved that all five victims of the attack are in stable condition. We would also like to give our profound gratitude to the soldiers who charged into danger and subdued the shooter, potentially saving countless lives."