At NPR, Laura Wagner reports, “The Senate confirmed the nomination of Eric Fanning to the position of Army secretary, making him the first openly gay leader of a U.S. military service.” Fanning, who came out in 1993, will become the highest-ranking, openly gay member of the Department of Defense. “Eric brings many years of proven experience and exceptional leadership to this new role,” President Obama said in a statement. “I am grateful for his commitment to our men and women in uniform, and I am confident he will help lead America’s Soldiers with distinction.”