Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Rayuan Lane III stepped onto the Pentagon's River Entrance parade field and did something few others can claim – he played catch with the secretary of defense.

This week in the Defense Department, the Air Force and Space Force hit recruiting expectations three months early and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth hosted leaders from two partner nations to further military cooperation and partnerships.

Approximately 8,500 military personnel attached to Joint Task Force Southern Border continue to enhance U.S. Customs and Border Protection's ability to identify, track and disrupt threats to security at the southern border, the Defense Department announced.

The capability review is being conducted to ensure U.S. military aid aligns with the defense priorities, Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell said during a briefing.

Argentina and the United States will continue to build on their more than 200-year relationship, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met today at the Pentagon with India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to discuss the close cooperation between the two countries, weapons sales and the upcoming signing of the framework for the new defense partnership.

Five Major League Baseball players from the Detroit Tigers, members of their families and team staff visited the Pentagon ahead of the team's three-game series against the Washington Nationals.