WASHINGTON—President Barack Obama on Friday nominated an openly gay civilian to head the Army, a first for such a job at the Pentagon.
Mr. Obama nominated Eric Fanning to be the next secretary of the Army, as the service faces a variety of budgetary, operational and social issues. Mr. Fanning has held a number of top Pentagon positions, including most recently as chief of staff to Defense Secretary Ash Carter.
Mr. Fanning, a former journalist for CBS News, has been serving in an acting role as undersecretary of the Army since June. If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, he would succeed John McHugh, a former Republican congressman from New York, who announced his retirement earlier this year.
Mr. Obama said Mr. Fanning brings “many years of proven experience and exceptional leadership” to the role. “I am grateful for his commitment to our men and women in uniform, and I am confident he will help lead America’s soldiers with distinction,” he said.
Mr. Fanning, 47 years old, has long been known in Pentagon circles as a rising star. Before working for Mr. Carter, he was the undersecretary of the Air Force.
For a time, he served simultaneously in that job as well as serving as an acting secretary of that service.A graduate of Dartmouth College, Mr. Fanning began a career in public service as a research assistant for the House Armed Services Committee in 1991.
Matt Thorn, who heads the advocacy group OutServe-SLDN, said Mr. Fanning’s nomination serves as another symbol of how barriers have come down inside the military. “He continues to break down barriers in his career advancements, and I know that Eric will be the leader that the Army needs,” he said in a statement. “Having an openly gay individual in high level positions within the Department of Defense helps to set the tone at the top and provides an opportunity to bring better understanding about both the shared and the unique needs of [lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender] individuals in the military and their families.”
The military’s view of gay men and women has changed radically from when former President Bill Clinton initiated the controversial “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy in 1993.
After years of public debate about whether could hurt military readiness and morale, former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta in 2011 lifted the ban. Military officials have said there have not been any reported morale or readiness problems as a result of the change.
Defense Secretary Ash Carter said earlier this year that he would consider if transgender service members, now technically barred from military service, could serve openly. He will make a final decision on that issue by January 2016.
The White House also announced on Friday that Janine Davidson, a former Air Force officer who has served in a number of defense positions, would be nominated to be under secretary of the Navy and Jennifer O’Connor to be the Pentagon’s general counsel.
Doug Wilson, a former assistant secretary of defense for public affairs who was the first openly gay individual confirmed by the U.S. Senate for a senior Pentagon job earlier this decade, praised Mr. Fanning.
“Eric Fanning is one of the most qualified individuals to hold any senior position having to do with defense,” Mr. Wilson said. “The fact that he is openly gay and has been nominated for his position is just evidence of the degree to which Americans can accept sexual orientation as part of an individual, and not something that completely defines an individual.” Mr. Wilson hired Mr. Fanning in 2001 at the Business Executives for National Security.