I never expected to be Defence Secretary. It's a great privilege.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
I am extremely honoured to be the Defence Secretary, and I would not do the job if I did not think that I could make a useful contribution in the role.
I was Minister for the Armed Forces in the Ministry of Defence for two years prior to being appointed Defence Secretary.
I got the chance to be the secretary of state; I'm an international relations specialist. It doesn't get better than that.
I had a passion to not be a secretary forever. I was mindful of the customary career trajectory, and I knew I had to do something remarkable.
I was an office secretary for a long time. A good secretary.
I saw the prospect of serving as labor secretary as a wonderful opportunity to further the policies that I have been fighting for my whole life, and I had to seize it.
I have no ambitions to be a cabinet minister, or prime minister. I wouldn't wish being prime minister on my worst enemy.
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.
I loved what I did. I could've been secretary of state for ever.
Being a secretary was considered a very good job in those days.
No opposing quotes found.