Panetta starts job as Defense secretary on Friday

Leon Panetta will start his new job as the Defense secretary tomorrow.

Leon Panetta will start his new job as the Defense secretary tomorrow.

Panetta is leaving his job as CIA director, a post he held for two years. He is replacing secretary Robert Gates who is retiring today.

Secretary Panetta served as a congressman from 1977 until 1993.

He also headed the Budget Committee and was director of the Office of Management and Budget.

One of his first tasks will be slicing the military’s budget as well as handling some pretty controversial issues.

This story is part of Federal News Radio’s daily DoD Report. For more defense news, click here.

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