Army Secretary John McHugh announced Monday that he plans to step down as the Army’s top civilian by November, leaving plenty of time for a transition period.
McHugh, who became the Army’s 21st secretary September 21, 2009, began private conversations with Defense Secretary Ash Carter about his decision to leave a few weeks ago, according to a press release from the Department of Defense. McHugh has served for the longest period of time as secretary since John Marsh Jr. began his tenure in 1981 and finished in late 1989.
“Secretary McHugh has been a tremendous public servant for decades, and he has helped lead the Army through a period of challenge and change,” said Secretary of Defense Ash Carter. “There will be much time in the coming months to appropriately celebrate his many accomplishments, but for now I will just say that every soldier is better off because of his hard work and vision, and so is the country.”
McHugh’s current plan is to depart on November 1 later this year in the hopes that President Barack Obama will have enough time to find a suitable replacement.
Before taking the job, McHugh served in Congress on the House Armed Services Committee as a Republican representing New York’s 23rd congressional district.
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