After more than seven years of dedicated public service in the Obama administration, Christine Wormuth has decided to step down in June as the undersecretary of defense for policy to spend more time with her family. Throughout her career, Christine has devoted herself to enhancing America's national security. At the National Security Council and her many roles at the DoD, Christine has provided President Obama, my predecessors and me invaluable counsel on the nation's most challenging security issues. I thank Christine for her service and sacrifice and wish her all the best.
Thankfully we have a deep bench at the Department of Defense and Christine's Principal Deputy Brian McKeon has agreed to serve as acting undersecretary of defense for policy. With his depth of experience - from Capitol Hill to the White House and now at the Defense Department - and his expertise on the challenges the country faces, Brian will continue to serve DoD and the country well.
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs David Shear will assume Brian's responsibilities and perform the duties of principal deputy. I know Dave's deep knowledge of policy issues, as well as his extensive career in diplomacy, will help us continue to defend the nation and strengthen our defense relationships at a time of change around the world.
We have important work ahead, and I want to thank Brian and Dave for their commitment to the department at this critical time.