Hagel takes helm at Pentagon after bitter fight

WASHINGTON (AP) — Chuck Hagel was sworn in today as defense secretary — President Barack Obama's third in just over four years — and said that one of his highest priorities will be ensuring fair treatment of troops, veterans and their families.

He called the automatic budget cuts due to take effect on Friday — to include $46 billion in Pentagon reductions — "a reality" that "we need to deal with."

In 15 minutes of remarks to Pentagon employees shortly after becoming the nation's 24th secretary of defense, Hagel struck a tone of humility and cast himself as prepared to take on the full range of national security challenges.

A veteran of combat in Vietnam, Hagel said he would strive to be "the kind of leader that you expect and you deserve — also the kind of leader the country expects and deserves."

Hagel, 66, a former two-term Republican Nebraska senator, was introduced to his Pentagon audience by a fellow Nebraskan — Army Sgt. 1st Class John Wirth, of Gordon, Neb., a veteran of the Iraq and Afghan wars.

Hagel succeeds Leon Panetta, who became Pentagon chief in July 2011, replacing Obama's first defense secretary, former CIA chief Robert Gates.