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         Senate Confirms First Openly Gay Chief of a US Military Branch

   by Ken Schwartz

   The U.S. Senate Tuesday unanimously confirmed Eric Fanning to be chief
   of the U.S. Army, making him the first openly gay leader of a U.S.
   military branch.

   President Barack Obama nominated Fanning eight months ago. But Senate
   approval was held up over plans to transfer detainees from the
   Guantanamo Bay prison to an Army base in Kansas.

   Kansas Republican Senator Pat Roberts dropped his opposition to a vote
   on Fanning after the White House assured him it was too late to move
   the prisoners.

   Fanning has served in a number of senior positions since joining the
   Pentagon in 2009, which include acting Air Force Secretary, deputy
   undersecretary of the Navy, and Army chief management officer.
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   f-military-branch/3335059.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/senate-confirms-first-openly-gay-chief-military-branch/3335059.html