The Secretary of Defense is not a super General or Admiral. His task is to exercise civilian control over the Department for the Commander-in-Chief and the country.

" Bush defended his secretary throughout and responded by stating that Rumsfeld is "exactly what is needed". citing the use of chemical weapons.

Rumsfeld reluctantly accepted an appointment by President Richard Nixon to head the Office of Economic Opportunity in 1969; appointed Counselor by Nixon and entitled to Cabinet-level status he would also head up the Economic Stabilization Program before being appointed Ambassador to NATO. Bush.