Charlene Austin is the wife of Lloyd Austin, the 28th United States secretary of defense since January 22, 2021.
Charlene Austin who is 67 years has been married to Charlene Austin for over 40 years. She is a national advisor for the Military Child Education Coalition.
She is also a board member for the Military Family Research Institute of Purdue University. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Fayetteville State University in North Carolina.
Charlene Austin’s work experience included serving as a “federal employee holding leadership positions as Army Community Service Employment Program Manager, Army Continuing Education Guidance Counselor, and Troop and Family Members Transition Specialist for the Army Career and Alumni Program” over the course of her career.
She has been honored with several awards for her work with military families. The awards included the Secretary of the Army Public Service Award in 2013; the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service and the Department of the Army Distinguished Civilian Service decoration medal in 2016; and multiple Commanding General’s Awards.