WASHINGTON, DC – Today, after President Joe Biden announced the nomination of Christine Wormuth to be the next Secretary of the Army, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), praised the nominee, who, if confirmed by SASC and the full U.S. Senate, will serve as the Army’s top civilian official and will be the first woman to hold this position.

“This is a historic nomination.  Christine Wormuth has dedicated her distinguished career to public service and safeguarding the nation.  She brings experience, expertise, and strategic vision to this new role, having served in senior level positions throughout the Department of Defense and the NSC,” said Reed.

Christine Wormuth is the Director of the RAND International Security and Defense Policy Center.  She previously served as Undersecretary of Defense for Policy from 2014 to 2016.  From 2012 to 2014, Wormuth served as Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for strategy, plans, and forces, and led the 2014 Quadrennial Defense Review. She served as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Defense at the National Security Council (NSC) from December 2010 until August 2012, where she was the primary liaison from NSC to the Pentagon on defense issues.  She is a graduate of Williams College and holds an M.P.P. from the School of Public Affairs, University of Maryland.

Acting Secretary of the Army John Whitley will continue to serve in that capacity until the full U.S. Senate holds a vote to confirm a new Secretary of the Army.