Ranger Regiment alum and former Lockheed Martin executive Ryan McCarthy became the Army undersecretary — and was automatically upgraded to acting secretary — on Thursday, according to spokesman Maj. Christopher Ophardt.
McCarthy replaced current acting Secretary Robert Speer, who rose to the Army’s top civilian post during the Trump administration’s transition.
Still, the Army is without a true secretary. The Senate received on July 25 the White House’s choice of Mark Esper, a West Point grad and Raytheon executive who is the Trump administration’s latest pick for Army secretary.
“I am leaving inspired by your service, reassured by your professionalism and expertise, and humbled by the privilege of working on your behalf,” Speer wrote in a farewell letter posted on Thursday. ”I remain a Soldier for Life.”
Speer spent more than six months in the job, as the White House named and then withdrew two potential Army secretaries.
West Point grad Vincent Viola opted not to disentangle business dealings that would conflict with the job, and a former special operations flight surgeon — Republican Tennessee State Sen. Mark Green — saw months of backlash over past controversial comments about transgender people and evolution.
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Speer spoke to Army Times on the occasion of the service’s 242nd birthday about the opportunity to meet with soldiers and craft policy during his tenure.
“We have a mission to perform, we have things to do,” he said. “I certainly know that you have a boss that you have to listen to what their priorities are. A lot of priorities haven’t changed. It’s a risky environment right now.”
Another ’acting’
During his July confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee, McCarthy pledged to help rein in wasteful spending as Army undersecretary — particularly when it comes to failed acquisitions programs.
“I saw it firsthand with the Future Combat Systems in 2009, that changing midstream from light and fast to a heavier concept, that confusion in fluctuation confuses what you want to achieve with the system,” he said.
The Senate unanimously confirmed McCarthy’s nomination on Tuesday.
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Now he will get his chance, as he takes over the service’s top civilian job.
Meghann Myers is the Pentagon bureau chief at Military Times. She covers operations, policy, personnel, leadership and other issues affecting service members.
