Obama nominates four to senior Pentagon positions

President Obama nominated four officials to top Pentagon positions late Monday, including three undersecretaries.

James Miller was nominated to succeed Michele Flournoy as undersecretary of Defense for policy, after Flournoy announced last month she was stepping down. Miller was Flournoy’s top deputy.

Frank Kendall III was nominated as undersecretary for acquisition, technology and logistics, a position he’s held in interim form as the Pentagon’s top weapons buyer. He’s been the acting undersecretary since last October, when Ashton Carter left the post to become deputy Defense secretary.

The president nominated Erin Conaton as undersecretary for personnel and readiness, moving her from her current spot as undersecretary for the Air Force. Conaton was staff director of the House Armed Services Committee in 2009 when she was named to that position.

Jessica Lynn Wright, who is currently deputy assistant secretary for manpower and personnel, was nominated as assistant secretary for reserve affairs.

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