CINC Support

Louis Caldera, secretary of the Army from 1998 to 2001, will head President Obama's White House Military Office, the president-elect's office announced today.

The position -- a post often held by a general or flag officer -- involves advising the White House on matters involving military support to the commander in chief, which could give Caldera an influential vote in figuring out how to proceed with the VH-71, the presidential helicopter modernization program that is suffering staggering cost growth.

A West Point grad and former California state assemblyman, Caldera moved to academia after vacating his E-ring office serving as vice chancellor for the California State University system and president of the University of New Mexico.

“Louis has served his country with distinction in uniform and in government, and his pedigree is second-to-none. I know he’ll bring to the White House the same dedication and integrity that have earned him the highest praise in every post, from Secretary of the Army to university president,” said President-elect Obama in a statement.