(AP) — Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel says the United States’ military is facing a number of challenges in the coming years, from civil war in Syria to the role of technology in global security.

Hagel’s remarks came Wednesday before a crowd of about 300 at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where Hagel earned a bachelor’s degree of science in history some 40 years ago. It was Hagel’s first trip to Nebraska since he was confirmed as defense secretary.

Hagel said U.S. policy decisions regarding Syria carry consequences “both for action and inaction,” and that those consequences are being weighed by President Barack Obama.

Hagel, who said last month that the U.S. was considering arming Syrian rebels, made no mention of that possibility Wednesday. He did not take questions from reporters.