Statement By Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel Announcing Presidential Nominations

Today, I am pleased to announce that President Obama has nominated three exceptional individuals to serve in senior military leadership positions across the Department of Defense: Admiral Bill Gortney, currently commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command, to be commander of U.S. Northern Command and NORAD; Army General John Campbell, currently Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, to command NATO’s International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces Afghanistan; and Army Lieutenant General Joseph Votel, currently commander of Joint Special Operations Command, for appointment to the rank of General and to serve as commander of U.S. Special Operations Command. All three are highly qualified officers who have devoted many years of service to their country. If confirmed by Congress, they will be outstanding successors to General Jacoby, General Dunford, and Admiral McRaven, who have all been exemplary and highly effective commanders. I join the President in thanking all these leaders for what they have done and will continue to do for both our nation and our men and women in uniform.