United States Department of Defense United States Department of Defense

February 2013

Hagel Takes Office as 24th Defense Secretary

Just before his private swearing-in ceremony as the 24th secretary of defense, Chuck Hagel and his wife, Lilibet, arrived at the Pentagon and were greeted by Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, military assistant to the secretary of defense. Story

Hagel Vows to Ensure
Well-being of Service Members

New Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel vowed he always would be frank with the Defense Department's men and women, and work to ensure the well-being of service members and their families during an all-hands meeting at the Pentagon. Story

Defense Secretary Hagel
Makes Pentagon Rounds

New Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel took the oath of office, visited the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial, spoke to the Pentagon workforce, met his senior civilian and military leadership team for their daily staff meeting, and met separately with the service secretaries, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said. Story

New Defense Secretary Issues Message to Workforce

On his first day at the Pentagon’s helm, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel issued a message to the men and women of the Defense Department. Story

Chuck Hagel took the oath of office to serve as the 24th defense secretary at the Pentagon, Feb. 27, 2013, becoming the first enlisted combat veteran to lead the Defense Department. Hagel served in the U.S. Senate, representing Nebraska from 1996 to 2009. Following his Senate career, Hagel served as co-chairman of President Obama's Intelligence Advisory Board and as a member of the department's Defense Policy Board. Biography

New Secretary Holds All-hands Meeting

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Hagel Takes Oath as Defense Secretary