Defense Secretary Leon Panetta addressed a National Press Club Luncheon to discuss what lies ahead for the U.S. military.
The Secretary discussed the state of the Department of Defense if sequestration takes place next month and the Pentagon needs to make further budget cuts. He also addressed the drawdown of troops in Afghanistan, the situation in the Middle East and the movement of troops to the Pacific region.
Secretary Panetta visited Afghanistan last Wednesday to meet with senior commanders and discuss proposals for future troop levels as the NATO-led combat mission formally ends at the end of 2014.