McCarthy Takes Over as Army Secretary

Ryan McCarthy on Sept. 30 was sworn in as the 24th secretary of the Army. McCarthy, who was formerly the No. 2 in the Army, had served as the acting secretary of the service since Mark Esper was nominated and confirmed to be defense secretary. In a Sept. 27 message to soldiers, McCarthy wrote that under his leadership the service will need to improve strategic readiness while also modernizing, to ensure the Army “remains the most lethal ground combat force in the world.” While moving toward these goals, the service also must take care of its people, including reversing “negative trends in suicide, sexual assault, and sexual harassment that tear at the fabric of our formations.” McCarthy, who was confirmed by the Senate on Sept. 27, was nominated for the job in June. Barbara Barrett, who was nominated to be the next Air Force secretary a month before McCarthy was tapped, is expected to be up for a Senate vote on Oct. 15. —Brian Everstine