Hagel Takes Oath as Defense Secretary

Department of Defense Photo Essay

  • New Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and his wife, Lilibet, arrive for Hagel's first day at the Pentagon, Feb. 27, 2013. Hagel later took the oath of office to serve as the 24th secretary. DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley
  • Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, the senior military advisor to the defense secretary, guides new Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and his wife, Lilibet, on a tour of the Pentagon before Hagel took the oath of office, Feb. 27, 2013. DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley
  • Chuck Hagel, left, takes the oath of office to serve as the 24th defense secretary from Michael L. Rhodes, the Defense Department's director of administration and management, as Hagel's wife, Lilibet, holds a Bible at the Pentagon, Feb. 27, 2013. DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley
  • New Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel greets Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter after taking the oath of office to serve as the 24th secretary at the Pentagon, Feb. 27, 2013. DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley
  • Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel signs the guest book the Pentagon's 9/11 Memorial Chapel shortly after taking the oath of office to serve as the 24th secretary, Feb. 27, 2013. DOD photo by Glenn Fawcett
  • Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel looks over stained glass as he tours the Pentagon's 9/11 Memorial Chapel shortly after taking the oath of office to serve as the 24th secretary, Feb. 27, 2013. DOD photo by Glenn Fawcett
  • Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel pauses at the point of impact of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks shortly after taking the oath of office during a private ceremony at the Pentagon, Feb. 27, 2013 DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley
  • Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, second from right, tours the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial with Michael L. Rhodes, left, the Defense Department's director of administration and management, Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, military assistant to the defense secretary, and Marcel J. Lettre II, right, the secretary's special assistant, Feb. 27, 2013. DOD photo by Glenn Fawcett
  • Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel speaks with Pentagon Press Secretary George Little, Marcel J. Lettre II, the secretary's special assistant, and U.S. Air Force Maj. Kristen Bakotic, deputy director for Defense Secretary Protocol, before addressing Pentagon employees and service members during an all-hands call on his first day at the Pentagon, Feb. 27, 2013. DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley
  • New Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel walks with Army Sgt. 1st Class John Wirth from Gordon, Neb., before addressing Defense Department employees and service members during an all-hands call on Hagel's first day at the Pentagon, Feb. 27, 2013. Hagel is a former U.S. senator from Nebraska. DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley
  • Army Sgt. 1st Class John Wirth of Gordon, Neb., introduces Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel to attendees at an all-hands call as Hagel prepares to deliver remarks at the Pentagon, Feb. 27, 2013. DOD photo by Glenn Fawcett
  • Army Sgt. 1st Class John Wirth of Gordon, Neb., introduces Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel to attendees at an all-hands call as Hagel prepares to deliver remarks at the Pentagon, Feb. 27, 2013. DOD photo by Glenn Fawcett
  • New Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel arrives to address employees and service members during an all-hands call on Hagel's first day at the Pentagon, Feb. 27, 2013. DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley
  • New Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel addresses Pentagon employees and service members during an all-hands call on Hagel's first day at the Pentagon, Feb. 27, 2013. DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley
  • New Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel delivers remarks at his first all-hands call with Defense Department employees and service members at the Pentagon, Feb. 27, 2013 DOD photo by Glenn Fawcett
  • New Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel greets his new staff after taking the oath of office to serve as the 24th secretary at the Pentagon, Feb. 27, 2013. DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley
  • New Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel stops and poses for photos with Pentagon construction workers on his first day at the Pentagon, Feb. 27, 2013. DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley
  • Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel meets with Sergeant Major of the Army Raymond F. Chandler III on his first day at the Pentagon, Feb. 27, 2013. DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley
  • Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel shakes hands Navy Adm. Mark E. Ferguson III, vice chief of Naval Operations, during a walking tour to visit various senior military leaders at the Pentagon Feb. 27, 2013. DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley