Robert Work, the former undersecretary of the Navy who has headed up a progressive Washington think tank since he left the Pentagon last year, was nominated Friday to serve as the deputy secretary of defense.
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Work, who spent 27 years in the Marines, had been selected by President Barack Obama to become the Pentagon’s second ranking official. If approved by the Senate, Work will likely be tasked with managing reductions in the Defense Department’s spending over the next few years.
Hagel characterized Work as “a highly respected and nationally recognized strategic thinker, practitioner and expert on national security, as well as budgeting, technology and military affairs. “
“Bob’s distinguished career of public service, his ability and his experience and knowledge of DoD make him uniquely qualified for this position,” Hagel added. “And if confirmed, he will bring the deputy’s role the essential qualities required to help lead our national defense enterprise at a very, very challenging time.”
Work served on Obama’s White House transition team after the 2008 election and the following year became Navy undersecretary, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Navy and Marine Corps. He left last spring for his current job as chief executive of the Center for a New American Security.
Work is scheduled to appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee Thursday for a hearing on his nomination.
If confirmed, Work’s appointment could have implications for the Navy’s controversial Littoral Combat Ship program. As Navy undersecretary, Work was a staunch advocate for the LCS program and leading voice against its critics. His nomination comes as the LCS once again appears to be under fire.
Christine Fox, who has been deputy defense secretary on an interim basis since December, reportedly issued a memo in January instructing the Navy to slash its planned buy of LCSs from 52 to 32, a major blow to the program. The Navy has since insisted it is committed to purchasing all 52 of the vessels.
Work spent much of his tenure in the Navy defending the LCS program, dismissing suggestions the vessel did not meet warship standards and once declared that any enemies utilizing small attack craft against it should think twice because the LCS will “kick their ass.”
Work has previously held stints at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessment and at the Pentagon’s Office of Net Assessment.