Trump taps McPherson as Army under secretary

President Trump announced today he plans to nominate Jim McPherson as the new Army under secretary, a position he has occupied since June in an "acting" capacity.

If confirmed by the Senate, McPherson would succeed current Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy, who previously held the post.

McPherson previously served as the general counsel of the Defense Department's Counterintelligence Field Activity.

"A retired rear admiral, Mr. McPherson's final assignment was as the 39th Judge Advocate General of the Navy," according to the White House. "He first gained military experience as an enlisted member of the United States Army, later being commissioned as an ensign in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps."