Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has promised a “calm, orderly and professional” transition to the incoming administration following President-elect Donald Trump’s landslide election on Tuesday.

In a memo to Defense Department personnel released the day after the election, Mr. Austin said the U.S. military will “stand ready to carry out the policy choices of its next commander in chief”  and obey all lawful orders from the civilian chain of command.

He said the military will continue to “provide for the common defense” as directed by the Constitution while continuing to stand apart from the political arena.

“America’s Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Guardians swear an oath to ‘support and defend the Constitution of the United States,’ and that is precisely what you will continue to do,” Mr. Austin wrote.

He said Defense Department personnel — in uniform and civilians — will continue to keep the country safe and the republic secure whether at home or deployed around the world.

“You are not just any military. You are the United States military — the finest fighting force on Earth — and you will continue to defend our country, our Constitution and the rights of all of our citizens,” Mr. Austin wrote.

• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.