Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is leaving the Pentagon after less than two years on the job.
President Obama confirmed Hagel's resignation today in a statement at the White House.
Our Washington correspondent Kevin McAleese has the story...
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But this exemplary defence secretary will not be the person the President turns to for direction during his remaining two years in office.
The New York Times which broke the story reported the Vietnam veteran was forced out with Presdient Obama deciding a different type of Pentagon head was needed to face down the continuing threat of Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria.
Despite the rumours swirling what has been widely seen as a shock announcement, Mr Hagel said he was proud of his 22 months as defence secretary...
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Hagel's departure is being presented by administration officials as a mutual decision between Mr Hagel and the President.
The Vietnam veteran, who was wounded and decorated with a purple heart, has been in the role since February last year
The President must now carefully decide who can best handle the ongoing US-led military campaign against the Islamic State fighters and the continuing Ebola crisis in West Africa.
Earlier this year the outgoing Defence Secretary, who handled the draw down in Afghanistan,
gave a frank assessment of the threat that ISIS posed to the United States.
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Chuck Hagel will remain in the job until his replacement is announced - he was the only republican on President Obama's national security team.
Names already being mentioned include Senator Jack Reed, a defense specialist and a former army officer; Ashton B. Carter, a former deputy secretary of Defense and Michèle A. Flournoy, a former under secretary of Defense for policy who would be the first female head of the Pentagon.
Kevin McAleese, Washington