"Today, I want to congratulate Eric Fanning for his nomination to be the next secretary of the Army. President Obama has made an excellent choice, and I hope for a quick Senate confirmation.
"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. I know he will strengthen our Army, build on its best traditions, and prepare our ground forces to confront a new generation of challenges."