Reporting For Duty

On his first day on the job, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel will meet privately with senior defense officials and speak publicly with service members and civilian employees at the Pentagon.

Hagel was scheduled to arrive at the building at 7:30 a.m; at 8:15 a.m., Hagel was slated to take the oath of office in a private ceremony attended by family members and his immediate office staff. "Secretary Hagel will then host the daily senior staff update meeting attended by civilian and military leaders of the department," according to a statement released by the Pentagon.

And at 10:30 a.m., Hagel is scheduled to make remarks in the Pentagon's auditorium, which will be open to the media and webcast live by the department. In the afternoon, Hagel is due to meet with the service secretaries and attend meetings at the White House.

"I will be counting on Chuck’s judgment and counsel as we end the war in Afghanistan, bring our troops home, stay ready to meet the threats of our time and keep our military the finest fighting force in the world," President Obama said in a statement last night after the Senate narrowly confirmed Hagel by a vote of 58-41.