President Barack Obama on Friday nominated Eric K. Fanning to be
secretary of the Army, which could make him the first openly gay secretary of a
U.S. military branch.
The U.S. Senate
must confirm Fanning before he can lead the Army.
"Eric
brings many years of proven experience and exceptional leadership to this new
role," the President said in a statement. "I am grateful for his
commitment to our men and women in uniform, and I am confident he will help
lead America's Soldiers with distinction."
This historic
move is one of many steps the Obama administration has taken to advance the
rights of the LGBT community in the armed forces. In 2010, the President signed
a law ending the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy that prohibited gays
and lesbians from serving openly in the military, and earlier this year, the
President moved to allow those who identify as transgender to openly serve as
well.
Fanning has
served as acting under secretary of the Army since June, and before that,
served as chief of staff to Secretary of Defense Ash Carter. Fanning also
served as under secretary of the Air Force and deputy undersecretary of the
Navy.
In a statement,
Carter called Fanning an "excellent choice" to lead the Army.
"Eric
served as my first chief of staff at the Pentagon, and it has been a privilege
over the course of my career to work alongside him and watch him develop into
one of our country's most knowledgeable, dedicated, and experienced public
servants," Carter said. "I know he will strengthen our Army, build on
its best traditions, and prepare our ground forces to confront a new generation
of challenges."
The American
Military Partner Association, a support group for the families of LGBT service
members, also praised Obama's decision.
"We are
thrilled to see Eric Fanning nominated to lead the world's greatest Army,"
AMPA President Ashley Broadway-Mack said in a statement. "History
continues to be written and equality marches forward with the nomination of an
openly gay man to serve in this significantly important role. Fanning's
expertise and knowledge within the defense community together with his
sensitivity to issues faced by LGBT service members and their families is why
we urge the Senate to move quickly to confirm his appointment."
No comments:
Post a Comment