The Defense Department has officially welcomed Eric Fanning as the new secretary of the U.S. Army during a full-honor arrival ceremony held Monday at Summerall Field on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall.
Fanning, formerly undersecretary of the Army, was confirmed as the 22nd Army secretary in May after President Barack Obama nominated him to the post in November 2015, the Army said Monday.
“I looked to him to help me recruit and attract a talented and innovative team of civilian and military leaders, many of whom are with us today,†said Defense Secretary Ashton Carter.
Carter added that Fanning and Army Chief of Staff  Gen. Mark Milley will lead the branch at a time when the Islamic State organization, Russia, China, North Korea and Iran pose global-scale threats.
Carter said both Fanning and Milley will jointly oversee the Army through the conflicts in the Middle East, Europe, Asia, Africa and Central and South America amid dwindling budgets.
