Which statement lists the Secretary of Defense's three priorities?

• A. Restoring the warrior ethos
• B. Restoring the warrior ethos, rebuilding the military, and reestablishing deterrence
• C. Reestablishing deterrence
• D. Modernizing the defense base

Answer: (B)

The key idea here is understanding how the secretary frames defense priorities to guide everything from leadership to capability. The three priorities together form a complete approach: first, restoring the warrior ethos focuses on the people—discipline, integrity, leadership, and the culture that keeps service members prepared and morally grounded. Second, rebuilding the military targets readiness and capacity—ensuring forces are adequately trained, equipped, and sized to meet current and future challenges. Third, reestablishing deterrence ensures adversaries perceive a credible cost for aggression, backed up by a capable and ready force and a clear political will to defend national interests.

This combination is essential because none of the elements alone guarantees national security. A strong deterrent relies on a ready and modern military, which in turn depends on a healthy warrior ethos to sustain morale and leadership. Conversely, rebuilding without a credible deterrent or a strong ethos could result in overextended forces or wavering resolve. The other options miss one or more of these interconnected parts, whereas listing all three captures the full strategic focus.