Chuck Hagel confirmed as defense secretary

Chuck Hagel won confirmation Tuesday to become defense secretary over objections to his views on Middle East security and the administration’s handling of an attack on a U.S. consulate in Libya. Here’s a look at Hagel’s past achievements and statements.

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FILE - In this Jan. 31, 2013 file photo, former Nebraska Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel, President Obama's choice for defense secretary, testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee during his confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington. Hagel has lined up the necessary votes for the Senate to confirm him next week to be the nation's next defense secretary, after a senior Republican lawmaker said he will back President Barack Obama's choice. Barring any new developments, five-term Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama said he would vote for his fellow Republican. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

Susan Walsh / AP

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 31: Former U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee during his confirmation hearing to become the next secretary of defense on Capitol Hill January 31, 2013 in Washington, DC. President Barack Obama nominated Hagel, a controversial choice as Hagel opposed former President George W. Bush and his own party on the Iraq War and upset liberals with his criticism of a gay ambassador, for which he later apologized. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Chip Somodevilla / GETTY IMAGES

Chuck Hagel, nominee for U.S. secretary of defense, speaks during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013. Hagel pledged to maintain the world's strongest military, stand by Israel and prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons as he fought to win confirmation as President Barack Obama's next secretary of defense. Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg *** Local Caption *** Chuck Hagel

Andrew Harrer / BLOOMBERG

FILE - In this Jan. 31, 2013 file photo, former Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel testifies at his Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington. The fierce Republican opposition to President Barack Obama's choice of Hagel to be defense secretary is both personal and business, and the nasty fight long has been seen as a proxy for the never-ending scuffles between the Democratic president and congressional Republicans. Barring any surprises, the drawn-out battle over his nomination probably will end this coming week with his Senate confirmation. But Hagel's fellow Republicans have roughed him up. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)Show was coinci

J. Scott Applewhite / AP

Jan. 7, 2013

President Obama, center, nominates former senator Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.), second from left, as secretary of defense during a news conference in the East Room of the White House. Outgoing Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, left, stands with them, John Brennan, second from right, the nominee for director of CIA, and Michael J. Morell, acting director of the CIA.

Nikki Kahn / The Washington Post

Jan. 7, 2013

Obama called Hagel “the leader that our troops deserve” and a “champion of our troops” and of military veterans and families.

Nikki Kahn / The Washington Post

In the mid-1980s, Chuck Hagel sold his used Buick to raise capital to co-found Vanguard Cellular Systems, which would eventually make him a multimillionaire.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

During the George W. Bush administration, Hagel was one of the few Republicans to publicly criticize the war in Iraq and the president's handling of it.

Joshua Roberts / Getty Images

With defense spending coming under increased scrutiny, Hagel could be an advocate for austerity at the Pentagon. In 2011, he said the Defense Department had become "bloated." ”In many ways I think the Pentagon needs to be pared down,” he said.

SSG Lorie Jewell / Associated Press

Hagel — left, shaking hands with Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) — and his brother Tom were the only siblings known to have served in the same infantry squad during the Vietnam war. In separate combat incidents, each saved the other's life.

Ken Cedeno / AP

Hagel served as co-chair of President Obama's Intelligence Advisory Board with Rep. Dan Boren (D-Okla.).

Jim Young / Reuters

In 2008, Hagel, center, was unimpressed with Sen. John McCain's vice presidential pick, then-Alaska governor Sarah Palin, saying she “doesn't have any foreign policy credentials.”

Manuel Balce Ceneta / AP

Hagel was first elected to the Senate in 1996, where he spent two terms. Since 2009, he has served as chairman of the Atlantic Council, an international affairs think tank.

Jonathan Ernst / Reuters

Hagel once was thought to be a possible candidate to run for governor of Virginia.

Dave Kaup / Reuters

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