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Published December 05, 2014

President Obama on Friday announced former Pentagon official Ashton Carter as his choice to lead the Defense Department, calling him one of America's top national security leaders who has a "relentless dedication to our armed services."

The president's selection of Carter, 60, who was deputy defense secretary from October 2011 to December 2013, was widely rumored but not confirmed by the White House until now.

If confirmed by the Senate, Carter would be Obama's fourth Pentagon chief in his roughly six-year administration. The development comes less than two weeks after Secretary Chuck Hagel abruptly resigned under White House pressure, after less than two years on the job.

Hagel did not attend Friday's announcement, but released a statement saying he strongly supports the nomination.

Hagel has remained mum on what led to his departure.He reportedly left amid frustration that he did not have access to the president's inner circle. Questions remain as to whether the Carter will be able to surmount the obstacles that had hindered his predecessor, Rep. Buck McKeon, R-Calif., chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, told Fox News on Friday. "That is something that Ash is going to have to deal with," he said.

Obama said his new nominee has a breadth of experience in the Pentagon and Capitol Hill and is well-prepared for current defense challenges overseas, including the fight with the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

"I accept the offer because of the deep respect and admiration that Stephanie and I have for the men and women in uniform," Carter said, referring to his wife Stephanie Carter, who was in attendance. "If confirmed for this job, I pledge to you my most candid, strategic advice," he said to the president.

Carter's former role was essentially that of chief operating officer. Before he served as deputy defense secretary, he was the Pentagon's technology and weapons-buying chief for more than two years.

He did not agree with the complete pull-out of U.S. combat forces from Iraq in 2011 and was one of a coterie of top Pentagon officials who would have preferred to leave a residual force behind. The White House says the withdrawal was necessary as Washington could not come to an agreement with then-Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to keep the troops there with immunity.

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Obama nominates Ashton Carter to be defense secretary - OPINION: Terrific choice, but will Obama listen?