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Leon Edward Panetta was sworn in as the 23rd Secretary of Defense on July 1, 2011. Before joining the Department of Defense, Mr. Panetta served as the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency from February 2009 to June 2011. Mr. Panetta led the Agency and managed human intelligence and open source collection programs on behalf of the Intelligence Community. Biography

Panetta Pledges 'No Hollow Force' on His Watch

WASHINGTON, July 1, 2011 - New Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta pledged there will be no hollow force on his watch and vowed to be a tireless advocate for service members and their families.

The secretary made the commitment in a message to the Defense Department released after he took the oath of office this morning. DOD General Counsel Jeh Johnson administered the oath in the secretary’s office. Taking the oath transferred responsibility for the department from Robert M. Gates. Story

Senate Confirms Panetta as Defense Secretary

WASHINGTON, June 21, 2011 - The U.S. Senate voted unanimously this evening to confirm Leon E. Panetta as the next secretary of defense. Story