US deputy defence secretary to step down in December

US Deputy Defense Secretary Ash Carter will step down in December, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced late Thursday. Hagel said in a statement that he had met with Carter earlier Thursday and "reluctantly accepted his decision to step down as Deputy Secretary of Defense on December 4, after more than four and a half years of continuous service to the Department of Defense." He added that Carter "has been an extraordinarily loyal and effective Deputy Secretary," and that "he possesses an unparalleled knowledge of every facet of America's defense enterprise, having worked directly and indirectly for eleven Secretaries of Defense over the course of his storied career." "I am confident that the Department, and the country, will continue to benefit from Ash Carter's service in the months and years ahead. I am thankful that Ash will continue to be at my side for the next two months, helping the Department of Defense manage through a very disruptive and difficult time, and ensuring a smooth transition within the office of the Deputy Secretary," Hagel remarked.