Hagel shares views on Iran and defense spending during confirmation process

WASHINGTON— Chuck Hagel says his experience fighting in Vietnam alongside his younger brother will shape any decision he makes to unleash military force if the Senate confirms him to be President Barack Obama’s defense secretary.

On the eve of his confirmation hearing, Hagel offered his opinions on a long list of issues, from cuts in defense spending and women in combat to penalties against Iran, in a 112page response to a questionnaire from the Senate Armed Services Committee.

It was the first time that Hagel’s voice had been heard in such detail since Obama

announced nominees for his second-term national security team on Jan. 7.

“I understand what it is like to be a soldier in war,” wrote Hagel. “I also understand what happens when there is poor morale and discipline among the troops and a lack of clear objectives, intelligence, and command and control from Washington. I believe that experience will help me as secretary of defense to ensure we maintain the best fighting force in the world, protect our men and women in uniform and ensure that we are cautious and certain when contemplating the use of force.”

If confirmed, the former two-term Republican senator from Nebraska would be the first enlisted man to serve as defense secretary.

Hagel described volunteering for Vietnam and rising to the rank of infantry sergeant.

In his responses, Hagel adopted a hard line on Iran and its possible pursuit of a nuclear weapon. He echoed Obama’s view that all options are feasible to stop Tehran.

He expressed his opposition to the automatic, across-theboard budget cuts that will hit the Pentagon on March 1 if Congress fails to come up with an alternative. At the same time, he indicated that some reductions are inevitable.