Obama has nominated the first openly gay Army secretary

President Obama nominated Eric Fanning to be secretary of the Army on Friday. If confirmed by the Senate, he'll be the first openly gay secretary of a military branch, The New York Times reports.

Fanning has served as Defense Secretary Ash Carter's chief of staff and acting under secretary of the Army as the current secretary, John McHugh, plans to leave office. He also has experience in civilian roles in the Navy and Air Force.

"I can't think of any civilian with more experience with the services, having served in senior positions in all three," former assistant defense secretary Derek Chollet told the Times. "He understands all of their unique cultures and processes."

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Sign up

The appointment comes as the military tries to integrate gay soldiers, some of whom say they still feel uncomfortable five years after the repeal of the controversial "don't ask, don't tell" policy.