Hagel, Chuck, 1946-

<p>Charles "Chuck" Hagel was born on October 4, 1946, in North Platte, Nebraska. Before attending the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where he earned a bachelor's degree in history, Hagel served in the United States Army from 1967 to 1968 and volunteered to serve in the Vietnam War. He was awarded two Purple Hearts and other military honors for his time in Vietnam. In 1971, Hagel became chief of staff to Congressman John McCollister of Nebraska. In 1981, President Ronald Reagan nominated him to serve as deputy administrator of the Veterans Administration. Hagel then cofounded Vanguard Cellular Systems and served as its director until 1987. In the early 1990s, he worked as president of an investment banking firm.</p>

<p>From 1997 until 2009, Hagel represented the state of Nebraska in the U.S. Senate as a Republican. Senator Hagel was a member of the Foreign Relations, Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, and Intelligence Committees. Although he supported the initial resolution to go to war with Iraq in 2002, he later criticized the administration of President George W. Bush over its handling of the conflict. Hagel retired from the Senate after two terms. After leaving office, he served as a professor at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service. In 2013, President Barack Obama nominated Hagel as secretary of Defense. He was sworn in on February 27, 2013.</p>

<p>Charles Timothy Hagel (/ˈheɪɡəl/ HAY-gəl; born October 4, 1946) is an American military veteran and former politician who served as a United States Senator from Nebraska from 1997 to 2009 and as the 24th United States Secretary of Defense from 2013 to 2015 in the Obama administration.</p>

<p>A recipient of two Purple Hearts while an infantry squad leader in the Vietnam War, Hagel returned home to start careers in business and politics. He co-founded Vanguard Cellular, the primary source of his personal wealth, and served as president of the McCarthy Group, an investment banking firm, and CEO of American Information Systems Inc., a computerized voting machine manufacturer. A member of the Republican Party, Hagel was first elected to the United States Senate in 1996. He was reelected in 2002, but did not run in 2008.</p>

<p>On January 7, 2013, President Barack Obama nominated Hagel to serve as Secretary of Defense. On February 12, 2013, the Senate Armed Services Committee approved Hagel's nomination by a vote of 14–11. On February 14, 2013, Senate Republicans denied Democrats the 60 votes needed to end the debate on Hagel's nomination and proceed to a final vote, citing the need for further review. It was the first time in U.S. history that a nominee for Secretary of Defense was filibustered, although candidates for other cabinet offices have been filibustered before. On February 26, 2013, the Senate voted for cloture on Hagel's nomination and confirmed him by a vote of 58–41. He took office on 27 February 2013, as his predecessor, Leon Panetta, stepped down.</p>

<p>Hagel previously served as a professor at the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, chairman of the Atlantic Council, and co-chairman of the President's Intelligence Advisory Board. Before his appointment as Secretary of Defense, Hagel served on a number of boards of directors, including that of Chevron Corporation.</p>

<p>On November 24, 2014, it was announced that Hagel would resign from the position of Secretary of Defense following conflicts within the administration, particularly relating to issues concerning ISIL.</p>