Leon Panetta will be sworn in as Defense Secretary Friday morning, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell told reporters today.
The event will take place during a private ceremony held in the office of the Pentagon’s General Counsel, Jeh Johnson. Outgoing Secretary Robert Gates is scheduled to return to his home in Washington on Thursday, but will remain in his position and in contact with the military until Panetta officially takes his ceremonial oath.
The Senate unanimously confirmed Panetta last Tuesday. Panetta will be leaving the top spot at the Central Intelligence Agency to take the reins at the Defense Department.