On December 30, 2020, Hicks was announced as then U.S. President-elect Joe Biden's nominee for the United States deputy secretary of defense. She appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee on February 2, 2021.[15] She was confirmed by voice vote by the full Senate on February 8, 2021, and sworn into office on February 9, 2021.[16] She is the first Senate-confirmed woman in this role.[17] Hicks is the highest ranking woman to have served in the DoD.[18]
Hicks has launched initiatives that attempt to shorten technology adoption timelines and speed fielding of new defense capabilities.[19] She spearheaded Replicator, an initiative initially focused on fielding autonomous systems to help counter China's military.[20] She oversees the military's first commercial space integration strategy,[21] as well as several of the Pentagon's largest missile defense and long-range strike programs.[22][23] She is also in charge of the military's efforts related to climate change.[24] Hicks established the Deputy's Workforce Council in the DoD to address workforce challenges such as extremism and a lack of diversity.[25] She has also focused on efforts to take care of service members and their families,[26] including countering sexual assault and harassment and preventing suicide.[27][28][29]
In April 2023, Hicks was interviewed by comedian Jon Stewart, who confronted her about the military defense budget and spending priorities, and suggested there is too much "waste, fraud, and abuse" within the DoD.[30] According to Military Times, she responded by "conceding past shortcomings in spending priorities but insisting that the current administration has focused more on correcting those issues".[31] The segment generated negative press attention.[32]
In January 2024, Hicks temporarily assumed the functions and duties of the secretary of defense while Lloyd Austin was hospitalized. Hicks performed the role of secretary of defense while vacationing in Puerto Rico, but was left unaware of the reason why for three days.[33] In February 2024, Austin transferred his authority to Hicks while again being hospitalized.[34]
Selected works
Hicks, Kathleen; Ridge, Eric (2007). Planning for Stability Operations: The Use of Capabilities-based Approaches. Center for Strategic and International Studies. ISBN978-0-89206-515-8.
Hicks, Kathleen H. (2008). Invigorating Defense Department Governance: A Beyond Goldwater-Nichols, Phase 4, Report. Center for Strategic and International Studies. ISBN978-0-89206-528-8.
Hicks, Kathleen H.; Wormuth, Christine E.; Ridge, Eric (2009). The Future of U.S. Civil Affairs Forces. Center for Strategic and International Studies. ISBN978-0-89206-568-4.
Alterman, Jon B.; Hicks, Kathleen H. (2015). Federated Defense in the Middle East. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN978-1-4422-5881-5.
Hicks, Kathleen H.; Metrick, Andrew; Samp, Lisa Sawyer; Weinberger, Kathleen (August 2, 2016). Undersea Warfare in Northern Europe. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN978-1-4422-5968-3.
Hicks, Kathleen H.; Samp, Lisa Sawyer (2017). Recalibrating U.S. Strategy toward Russia: A New Time for Choosing. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN978-1-4422-8006-9.
Hicks, Kathleen H.; Lauter, Louis; McElhinny, Colin (2018). Beyond the Water's Edge: Measuring the Internationalism of Congress. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN978-1-4422-8088-5.
Martin, Peter (December 14, 2023). "Silicon Valley Ties Are Key to Beating China, Pentagon's No. 2 Says in California Visit". Bloomberg. It's among impediments Hicks will have to address as she and her Pentagon colleagues push their new "Replicator" initiative, which aims to spur mass production of low-cost drones for the military... Hicks' visit is part of a multiyear Pentagon push to make tech-sector innovations available to the US military
^Erwin, Sandra (November 27, 2023). "Pentagon looks to commercial space for an edge". SpaceNews. ISSN1046-6940. Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks, who has spearheaded Pentagon efforts to bring cutting-edge technology into defense programs, is overseeing the military's first commercial space integration strategy.
^Vanden Brook, Tom (June 8, 2023). "Alaska's army bases see glimmer of hope after 'horrifically high' suicide rates among soldiers". USA Today. Senior defense officials, led by Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks, sought out troops, commanders and counselors during a recent visit as the Defense Department assesses what's worked and what hasn't in combatting despair. Hicks' tour came as the Pentagon sorts through dozens of recommendations from an independent commission on combatting suicide in the military.