Deputy Secretary of Defense William J. Lynn III

lynn being sworn in deputy secretary of defense, accompanied wife.

on january 8, 2009, president-elect barack obama nominated lynn deputy secretary of defense. complicated fact new ethic rules promulgated obama members of administration created waiting period of 2 years between lobbying activities , working administration on same issues, lynn s work raytheon violated. president obama waived new rules lynn, received criticism john mccain outside groups such project on government oversight, citizens responsibility , ethics in washington, government accountability project, , public citizen. mccain later said nomination should move forward. nominee, lynn agreed sell holdings of raytheon stock. lynn s appointment approved u.s. senate armed services committee on february 5, 2009 unanimous consent. on february 11, 2009, lynn confirmed in full senate vote of 93–4. took oath of office on february 12.

lynn cautioned in may 2009 congress , obama administration should careful not make things worse in overhauling pentagon’s weapons-buying practices. “we need keep in mind importance of not making system worse in our efforts achieve reform,” lynn said in testimony prepared house armed services committee. “this has happened in past.” lynn told lawmakers pentagon hire 20,000 new personnel manage weapons acquisition part of sweeping reforms president obama , congress have been pushing for. proposal hire 20,000 new employees “aggressive,” lynn said, pentagon needs program managers, cost estimators, software engineers , systems engineers. said pentagon leadership start bringing new people in @ beginning of fiscal 2010. “we mindful going organizational challenge,” said.

lynn touring marine positions in afghanistan.

the pentagon leadership has started sweeping effort free $100 billion on next 5 years maintain current fighting forces , modernize weapons systems. lynn in june 2010 said goal find more savings within defense budget without cutting top-line number. pentagon leaders eying 2 3 percent real growth in pentagon’s budget areas need most: force structure , modernization. two-thirds of $100 billion cost savings spread out on next 5 years come trimming overhead on department-wide basis. money directly transferred force structure , modernization accounts, lynn explained. rest of cost savings come “developing efficiencies within force structure , modernization accounts,” added. “if re able reduce overhead accounts don t need increases, shift force structure , modernization accounts, can 2 3 percent [real growth] , can think need in technology refresh, modernization, protecting quality of life , critical factors.”

lynn warned in order $100 billion in savings pentagon leadership , military services have identify “lower priority programs” not going part of future budgets.

on january 6, 2011, secretary of defense robert gates outlined $100 bn worth of savings planned on next 5 fiscal years (fy2012-fy2016) designed reinvested in military capabilities, plus additional 5-year savings worth $78 bn designed contribute deficit reduction. these include, among other things, consolidation of numbered air force staff, disestablishment of jfcom , second fleet, air mobility command fuel savings, multi-year procurement policies, , cancellations of hundreds of report requirements (many of them dating 1950s).

in may 2011 lynn indicated department moving balance how invests in counterinsurgency versus more traditional military capabilities. think can decide of 2 want emphasize, said william lynn. don t think can eliminate either. don t think s possible. lynn said wars in iraq , afghanistan have been more difficult had been expected, u.s. military must have enough troops , right kind of training, equipment , family support future long conflicts, said still plausible.

in july lynn announced leave dod. bill lynn has provided outstanding advice , counsel department , nation on course of long career, leon panetta said in statement released on 7 july. rely on experience , expertise during transition period. service missed. left office on october 5, 2011.

on january 26, 2012 drs technologies announced lynn s selection lead finmeccanica’s efforts in u.s. , such has been elected chairman of board , chief executive officer of drs technologies.