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You know, one thing I've learned over 40 years is that when you have jobs in Washington, you do it day by day and that's what I'm doing as secretary of defense.

A great deal of the work I do involves the military.

I work on the Armed Services and Foreign Relations committees to keep us safe at home and strong in the world.

First and foremost, my job is to protect the American people.

We ask the military to be in a position that, if we ask them to do a task, they are absolutely able to do it for us.

I think there has to be greater heed paid by the Security Council members to military advice.

I am going to get involved with giving back to military families.

Some of the best advice I've had comes from junior officers and enlisted men.