US Army Appoints First Openly Gay Leader

Eric Manning has been confirmed as secretary of the Army, making him the first openly gay leader of a U.S. military service.

President Barack Obama nominated Fanning for the position last year, but the voice vote approval came Tuesday after Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., dropped his opposition to Fanning. 

His confirmation was stalled because of a dispute over the Obama administration's plans to close the facility at Guantanamo and transfer detainees to the U.S.

Roberts said Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work privately told him they've dropped those plans so he lifted his hold on Fanning's nomination.

"He understands the significant and costly changes that would need to be made at Fort Leavenworth to change the post's mission," Roberts said. "Most importantly, he understands the legal restrictions on funding to move the detainees to Fort Leavenworth by January 20, 2017."

Fanning served as undersecretary of the Air Force and acting secretary of the Air Force from 2013 to 2015.