WASHINGTON – The Trump administration has announced its intent to nominate Brig. Gen. Anthony Tata (Ret.) to be under secretary of defense for policy, a move praised Thursday by Lt. Gen. Tom Spoehr (Ret.), director of The Heritage Foundation’s Center for National Defense:

“I have known Tony Tata for more than 20 years,” said Spoehr. “We served together in the 82d Airborne Division in some challenging times and you could not ask for a steadier, smarter and more humble leader than Tony. He is the perfect candidate to help Secretary Esper guide the Department of Defense through a complex domestic and international environment. To fill this important position promptly, the Senate should schedule a hearing and confirm Tata as quickly as possible. The Pentagon needs his leadership now.”

Spoehr praised Tata as an accomplished leader and an executive who can bring strong strategic acumen and decisive leadership to this key position. His experience as a senior military officer, a school administrator and as secretary of transportation for North Carolina have prepared him for the challenges that confront the Department of Defense. Tata is a graduate of the U.S. Army’s prestigious School of Advanced Military Studies, which annually offers a select few military officers a particularly strong grounding in strategy – a requirement for this position.