Gen. Raymond Odierno has been sworn in as the new Army chief of staff. At the ceremony, he said the United States must avoid rash decisions such as slashing the size of the Army in order to rein in the defense budget.

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta praised Odierno, citing his 50 months of service in Iraq and his success carrying out the surge strategy.

Odierno’s predecessor, Gen. Martin Dempsey, will become chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff later this month.

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