Today, I named Brig. Gen. Patrick S. Ryder as the next Pentagon press secretary. Pat will fill a critical role, leading our efforts to provide timely, accurate information to the media, and through the media to the American people.
The Pentagon press secretary performs a critical role, leading department-wide efforts to uphold the DoD Principles of Information and to ensure the news media can carry out its unique and invaluable role in our democratic system.
Pat now serves as the Department of the Air Force Director of Public Affairs. He will spend the next few weeks closing out his Air Force and Space Force responsibilities before assuming his new role later this month. He brings a wealth of experience, including joint and deployed assignments that will serve him well as he informs the media of our activities around the world. I am confident that I will benefit from his counsel, and that the American people will benefit from his ability to clearly and consistently communicate our efforts to protect the United States and its interests around the world, take care of our people, and strengthen our unrivaled alliances and partnerships.