Every year, I have the privilege of calling some of our outstanding Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Airmen, and Guardians stationed around the country and deployed around the world before Thanksgiving. 🧵

Yesterday, I called @SpaceForceDoD's 4th Space Operations Squadron who are stationed at Schriever Space Force Base in Colorado.

Today we concluded our 12th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. For more than a year, this group of some 50 countries has rushed to support the people of Ukraine.

We continue to work together to get Ukraine’s defenders what they need, when they need it. Together, we’ve been able to provide air-defense systems, armored vehicles, large quantities of ammunition, and have trained thousands of Ukrainian soldiers to repel their Russian invaders.

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The SCOTUS ruling on reproductive health has real readiness, recruiting, & retention implications for the Force. We've heard concerns from many of our people about the uncertainty they now face in accessing reproductive health care, including abortion services. 2/
To that end, today, I am directing the @DeptofDefense to take a number of actions to further take care of our people and provide consistency across the Force. These actions will ensure the following:

This is what unity looks like.

Today, I gathered defense ministers of nearly 50 countries to discuss the latest battlefield developments in Ukraine 🇺🇦, and to work together on how we can continue to support Ukraine today and over the long haul. A few examples of our progress: Denmark 🇩🇰 and the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 shared updates on several Copenhagen Conference initiatives, including the U.K.’s International Donors Fund for pooling international funding for critical capabilities.

Russia’s cruel and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine 🇺🇦 has spurred the international community into action, and the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting I hosted today — attended by some 50 countries — is just another sign of how nations of goodwill are rising to the moment. Ukrainian forces are now using long-range rocket systems to great effect, including HIMARS provided by the United States and other systems from our allies and partners. Ukraine’s defenders are pushing hard to halt Russia’s advances in the Donbas.

The @DeptofDefense is stunned and deeply saddened by the senseless murder of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. His killing is a tragedy for the people of Japan 🇯🇵 and for all those who value a free and open Indo-Pacific. (1/5) As Prime Minister, Mr. Abe championed the vital and enduring alliance between our two democracies, paving the way for Japan to play an even larger role in our alliance. (2/5)

This @NATO Summit in Madrid is an historic moment for the Transatlantic Alliance. Today, @POTUS Biden announced the following additional long-term U.S. commitments to bolster European security: • In Poland 🇵🇱, we will permanently forward station the @VCorps HQ Forward Command Post, a @USArmy garrison headquarters, and a field support battalion. These forces will be the first permanent U.S. forces on NATO’s Eastern Flank.

I just finished hosting an extremely productive third meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. 50 countries — our highest tally yet — joined me in Brussels to discuss how we can fortify support for Ukraine as they defend themselves from Russia’s unprovoked invasion. (1/5) This group’s growing number of participants is a testament to the on-the-ground impact it is having, and I’m glad we were joined by several new countries including Ecuador 🇪🇨, Georgia 🇬🇪, and Moldova 🇲🇩. (2/5)

Starting this Tuesday, I'll embark on a multi-stop, international trip to help advance a number of key U.S. defense priorities and partnerships around the world. (1/6) I'll first visit Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado 🇺🇸 to meet with senior leaders and U.S. troops from @USNorthernCmd and @NORADCommand. We'll discuss our ongoing mission to defend the U.S. homeland and space domain. (2/6)

.@SecBlinken and I visited Kyiv yesterday to directly demonstrate the United States' strong support for the Ukrainian Government and the incredibly brave Ukrainian people. We felt it was an important moment to be there — in person — a chance to have face to face conversations. And those conversations were long and wide ranging. @SecBlinken shared the news that American diplomats would soon return to Kyiv, as well as @POTUS' intention to nominate a new ambassador to Ukraine.

I am immensely proud of the U.S. forces who conducted an operation against Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi, the leader of ISIS. He detonated an explosive device during the operation, killing himself and members of his family. (1/4) The professionalism, skill and readiness of our troops -- honed through relentless rehearsal -- has dealt ISIS a severe blow and has helped make our country and our fellow citizens safer. (2/4)

I tested positive this morning for COVID-19. I requested the test today after exhibiting symptoms while at home on leave. My symptoms are mild, and I am following my physician’s directions. 1/7 In keeping with those directions, and in accordance with CDC guidelines, I will quarantine myself at home for the next five days. Stemming the spread of this virus, safeguarding our workforce, and ensuring my own speedy and safe recovery remain my priorities. 2/7

We have the strongest military the world has ever known but it’s not because of our weapons, our helicopters, or our tanks. It’s because of the ideals that we fight for, and it’s because we have the best team in the world. Today, we honored three true, American heroes. SFC Alwyn Cashe cared so deeply for his men that he made multiple trips into a flaming vehicle to pull them out. While receiving treatment for his wounds at the hospital -- wounds that would eventually take his life -- he insisted that the doctors tend to him last. #MedalofHonor

For our Force and our military community: I know that these are difficult days for those who lost loved ones in Afghanistan, and for those who carry the wounds of war. Especially now, we mourn those who made the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan. (1/4) Let me say to their families and loved ones: our hearts are with you. And the U.S. military stands as one to honor those we’ve lost. Now, Afghan war veterans aren’t some monolith. I’m hearing strong views from all sides on this. That’s the way it should be. (2/4)

We must do more as a Department to counter the scourge of sexual assault and sexual harassment in our military.

Today, I'm directing the @DeptofDefense to move forward on several reforms on this front. Among them, working with Congress to directly amend the UCMJ by: (1/5) • Removing the prosecution of sexual assaults and related crimes, domestic violence, child abuse, and retaliation from the military chain of command. (2/5)

If you don't yet know the story of Retired @USArmy Col. Ralph Puckett, it's a remarkable one, and it's why @POTUS will present him with the nation's most prestigious military decoration today, the Medal of Honor. While fighting in the Korean War, he led 57 Rangers and Korean soldiers across 800 yards of frozen rice paddies to hold a key hill overlooking the Chongchon River. He crisscrossed the open field three times so his Rangers could eliminate a concealed enemy machine-gun position.

On Saturday, I’m embarking on my first overseas trip as Secretary of Defense. I’ll meet with my counterparts and other officials to discuss the importance of our alliances and partnerships, and together we'll reinforce the U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. My first stop will be @INDOPACOM Headquarters in Hawaii to meet with U.S. troops and senior commanders to discuss the Indo-Pacific region as a priority theater for the @deptofdefense.

As we continue to confront COVID-19 during #BlackHistoryMonth, I’m reminded of Brigadier General Hazel Johnson-Brown, the first African-American woman to earn the rank of General in the @USArmy, and the first African-American Chief of the @ArmyNurseCorps. Joining the @USArmy just after President Truman banned segregation and discrimination in 1948, she started as an operating room nurse. She then traveled across the U.S. and abroad, working her way up the ranks and furthering her education.

It’s difficult to think about #BlackHistoryMonth without thinking about Jackie Robinson. Beyond his contributions to baseball, Robinson also broke race barriers in the military. He was first drafted and assigned to a segregated Army cavalry unit in Fort Riley, Kansas. In January 1943, Robinson was commissioned a second lieutenant, and later assigned to Fort Hood, Texas, where he joined the 761st "Black Panthers" tank battalion.