US President Barack Obama on Monday named two men he said had dedicated their lives to securing America to head the Defence Department and the Central Intelligence Agency.
Obama announced his selection of Vietnam veteran and former senator Chuck Hagel as his nominee for defence secretary, and career Central Intelligence Agency officer and Obama adviser on
counterterrorism John Brennan to head the CIA.
Obama made the announcements at the White House with both men at his side. If approved by the Senate, Hagel would replace Defence Secretary Leon Panetta, who intends to leave his post soon after
Obama begins his second four-year term on January 20.
Brennan would take the CIA director job from Michael Morell, who has been serving as acting director of the agency since David Petraeus stepped down late last year after admitting an extramarital affair.
Hagel, a Republican who represented the state of Nebraska in the Senate, is an "American patriot," Obama said, who enlisted in the Army and volunteered to fight in Vietnam, serving as a private, then a sergeant.
"To this day, Chuck bears the scars and the shrapnel from battles he fought in our name," Obama said, adding that he would be the first person of enlisted rank to serve as secretary of defence and the first Vietnam veteran to lead the department.
Obama praised Hagel for his devotion to US troops and being someone who "understands that America stands strongest when we stand with allies and with friends."
Brennan is "one of our nation's most skilled and respected intelligence professionals," Obama said.
"A 25-year veteran of the CIA, John knows what our national security demands: intelligence that provides policymakers with the facts, strong analytic insights and a keen understanding of a dynamic
world," the president said.
His experience and travels include traveling through the Arabian Peninsula, where he camped with tribesmen in the desert, Obama said, adding that Brennan has an invaluable perspective on the desire for human dignity driving so much of the changes in today's world.
Brennan is credited with building and then leading the National Counterterrorism Center, and Obama said the collaborative effort he led resulted in the removal from the battlefield of more al-Qaeda leaders and commanders than at any time since September 11, 2001.
Hagel said he was grateful for the opportunity to serve this country again and for the opportunity to "advance global freedom, decency and humanit, as we help build a better world for all
mankind."
Brennan also said he looked forward to the opportunity and praised the women and men of the CIA, who he said were among the most dedicated public servants the country knows.
Both nominations must be approved by the US Senate. Obama said he hoped for quick action on the nominations.