Washington: Mark Esper, a former American corporate executive, was formally chosen by the White House to take up the role of the new Secretary of Defence in Pentagon.
The letter of nomination was sent to the US Senate on Monday afternoon, a day before Esper's scheduled confirmation hearing, media reported.
Esper, who previously served as the acting defence secretary, will be relieved of the role until his confirmation as early as Thursday.
Aged 55, he was graduated from West Point and served combat roles in the Gulf War.
His career spanned across the government, think tanks and private sectors.
Until Esper's conformation Richard Spencer, Secretary of the Navy will act as the top Pentagon official.
Without a formal head, Pentagon has suffered the longest set back in the history after the former secretary of defence James Mattis resignation last December.
Patrick Shanahan, a former Boeing executive who became Acting Secretary this January, gave up his nomination after a history of violence between his family members surfaced.
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