WASHINGTON D.C. – Eric Fanning, the first openly gay Army secretary as confirmed by the U.S. Senate on May 17, has strong Michigan ties.
Fanning, 47, was born in Kalamazoo and later attended Cranbrook School in Bloomfield Hills. Fanning left Michigan to complete his high school curriculum at Centreville High School in Ohio.
"Eric brings many years of proven experience and exceptional leadership to this new role," President Obama said in a statement when he nominated Fanning, NPR reported. "I am grateful for his commitment to our men and women in uniform, and I am confident he will help lead America's Soldiers with distinction. I look forward to working with Eric to keep our Army the very best in the world."
Fanning's sexuality went unmentioned during his confirmation. The Advocate reports that not a single senator discussed his gay identity during the confirmation hearing before the Armed Services Committee, led by former Don't Ask Don't Tell proponent Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona.
Fanning has over 25 years of national security experience working as undersecretary and acting secretary of the Air Force. However, according to Wikipedia, Fanning has never served in the military, despite his recent appointment.
In the '90s Fanning was on the staff of the House Armed Services Committee, a special assistant in the Office of the Secretary of Defense and later served as associate director of political affairs at the White House.
"Eric Fanning's historic confirmation today as secretary of the U.S. Army is a demonstration of the continued progress towards fairness and equality in our nation's armed forces," said HRC President Chad Griffin. "Eric Fanning has spent his career serving this nation with tireless dedication, skill and ability, and as secretary he will bring that same commitment to the men and women of the U.S. Army."
Obama appointed Fanning on Nov. 3, 2015, but Fanning was confirmed by the U.S. Senate eight months later following a series of hold ups in the Senate. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kansas, held up the confirmation over a dispute with the Obama administration regarding Guantanamo detainees.
"Because of assurances given to me by the Department of Defense and Congress' continued opposition, today I have lifted my hold on the nomination of Eric Fanning to be the secretary of the Army," Roberts said on the Senate floor May 17.
