Former Sen. Chuck Hagel answers a question at his confirmation hearing in the Senate Armed Service Committee Former Sen. Chuck Hagel answers a question at his confirmation hearing in the Senate Armed Service Committee at the Dirksen Senate Building in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 31, 2013. Hagel is President Barack Obama’s nominee for Secretary of Defense. Hagel, if confirmed, will become the 24th Secretary of Defense succeeding Leon E. Panetta. SHARE IMAGE: Download Image: Full Size (0.04 MB) Photo By: VIRIN: 009507-R-KAX16-313.jpg Photo Gallery