Who is the current Secretary of Defense?

The current Secretary of Defense is Lloyd J. Austin III, not Mark T. Esper. Mark T. Esper served as Secretary of Defense from July 2019 until January 2021, making significant contributions during his tenure, especially in areas such as military readiness and strategic planning. However, since he has not held the position after January 2021, he is not the correct answer.

Ryan McCarthy was the Secretary of the Army and also does not hold the position of Secretary of Defense, which is another important distinction. General James C. McConville and Michael A. Grinston are prominent figures in the Army, with McConville serving as the Chief of Staff of the Army and Grinston as the Sergeant Major of the Army. Neither holds the Secretary of Defense position.

In summary, although Mark T. Esper was previously the Secretary of Defense, the current office holder is Lloyd J. Austin III, who took office in January 2021, demonstrating the importance of being up-to-date with current leadership in military roles.