IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

Musical chairs at the Pentagon: Eight days, two top jobs, four people

Over the next eight days there will likely be four people transitioning in and out of the top two positions at the Defense Department.
Image: Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer speaks at the Pentagon on Sept. 7, 2017.
Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer, at the Pentagon on Sept. 7, 2017.Department of Defense via Reuters file
By Courtney Kube

WASHINGTON — Think there is turmoil in Pentagon leadership now? Just watch what happens during the next two weeks.

Over the next eight days, there will likely be four people occupying the top two positions at the Pentagon, some for just 48 hours.

Here is what’s expected to happen starting Monday:

Monday, July 15

  • The formal nomination of Acting Defense Secretary Mark Esper to become defense secretary is expected to go from the White House to Congress on Monday afternoon.
  • Once Esper has been nominated, he reverts to his previous job, secretary of the Army until he is confirmed as defense secretary.
  • Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer becomes acting defense secretary while Esper awaits confirmation as defense secretary. Spencer's second temporarily becomes acting Navy secretary.
  • The Pentagon will notify U.S. allies and put out a statement to the service branches about the transition.

Tuesday, July 16

  • Esper has his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Thursday, July 18

  • The Senate is expected to vote to confirm Esper Thursday morning, with his swearing in as defense secretary on Thursday afternoon.
  • When Esper is sworn in, Richard Spencer will stop being acting defense secretary and will revert to his previous job, secretary of the Navy.
  • Ryan McCarthy will resume his position as acting secretary of the Army.
Image: Ellen Lord, Under Secretary of Defense (Aquisition, Technology and Logistics).
Ellen Lord, Under Secretary of Defense (Aquisition, Technology and Logistics).Monica King / U.S. Army

Monday, July 22

  • David Norquist will be formally nominated to become deputy secretary of defense, the second most powerful position at the Pentagon.
  • Upon his nomination, Norquist, who had been acting deputy of secretary of defense, will revert back to his previous job, comptroller.
  • While Norquist awaits confirmation, Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer will likely take over the duties of the deputy secretary of defense in addition to performing the duties of acting secretary of defense.
  • If Spencer does not take over the deputy's duties, the position goes to the next most senior official confirmed, which is Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Ellen Lord, who would be the acting deputy secretary of defense. It would be only the second time a woman has held this position.

Tuesday, July 23

  • Norquist will likely have his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee.
  • The Pentagon hopes Norquist will be confirmed and sworn in before the Senate goes into its August recess.
Courtney Kube

Courtney Kube is a correspondent covering national security and the military for the NBC News Investigative Unit.