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See Something

Say Something

BY DAVID VERGUN

Defense.gov

WASHINGTON -- Army Secretary Dr.

Mark T. Esper told senators that he would

continue to prioritize training, moderniza-

tion, building alliances and partnerships and

reforming the Pentagon if he’s confirmed to

serve as secretary of defense.

Esper, President Donald J. Trump’s nom-

inee to assume the Pentagon’s top post,

testified at his Senate Armed Services Com-

mittee confirmation hearing July 16. The

committee will make a recommendation to

the full Senate for its vote on whether to con-

firm Esper for the job.

In his opening statement, Esper noted the

growing threats posed by great power com-

petitors such as China and Russia and told

the panel that these threats warrant a refocus

to training, research and development, and

equipping for high-intensity conflict, partic-

ularly in the space and cyber domains.

At the same time, he said, the military

must be prepared to respond to regional

threats posed by Iran, North Korea and ter-

rorist groups around the world.

“Our adversaries must see diplomacy as

their best option, because war with the Unit-

ed States will force them to bear enormous

costs,” he said.

Besides warfighting priorities, Esper

said he would place particular focus on the

well-being of the men and women of the

armed forces, along with their families. He

mentioned housing, child care and spousal

employment as important to the readiness of

the force.

“Our military families are willing to make

great sacrifices for their country, and in

return, I am committed to ensuring they are

cared for properly,” he said.

Esper would bring to the job a thick mil-

itary resume that includes being a Pentagon

war planner, serving for a decade on active

duty in the Army, followed by 11 years in the

Army National Guard and Army Reserve.

“I believe this broad and diverse experi-

ence has prepared me well for the position

of secretary of defense,” he told lawmakers.

Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick M.

Shanahan served as the acting defense sec-

retary following James N. Mattis’ resigna-

tion in December. He stepped down due to

family considerations last month. The presi-

dent then appointed Esper to serve as acting

defense secretary.

Yesterday, the Senate received the pres-

ident’s formal nomination of Esper to be

secretary of defense. At that time, by law,

Esper ceased to serve as acting defense sec-

retary, and his sole title became secretary of

the Army. As prescribed in Executive Order

13533, “Providing an Order of Succession

Within the Department of Defense,” Navy

Secretary Richard V. Spencer became act-

ing defense secretary and has the full author-

ity and responsibility of the secretary of

defense.

The senior team supporting the Office

of the Secretary of Defense remains in

place to ensure institutional continuity, Pen-

tagon officials said. This includes David L.

Norquist, the Defense Department’s comp-

troller and chief financial officer, who con-

tinues to perform the duties of the deputy

secretary of defense.

Additionally, Thomas B. Modly, under-

secretary of the Navy, is now performing the

duties of the secretary of the Navy. Ryan D.

McCarthy is no longer performing the duties

of the secretary of the Army and is solely

serving as undersecretary of the Army.

Esper Would Continue Pentagon Emphasis on Readiness, Partnerships, Reform

Army Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper answers questions from members of the Senate Armed Services Committee during the confirmation hearing on his nomination to serve as secretary of defense, July 16, 2019.

Defense.gov photo