Panetta Promises "No Hollow Force"

Leon Panetta, sworn in Friday as the nation’s 23rd secretary of defense, pledged that there would be “no hollow force on my watch, ” as the Pentagon seeks to rein in costs without undermining military readiness.

In an opening message to Defense Department personnel, Panetta acknowledged the fiscal challenges he is inheriting, including an administration request to identify $400 billion in savings from the defense budget over the next 12 years. But Panetta also said that he believes in achieving a balance between disciplined spending and doing what is necessary to protect U.S. forces.

“While tough budget choices will need to be made, I do not believe in the false choice between fiscal discipline and a strong national defense,” he said, virtually echoing remarks by his predecessor, Robert. M. Gates. “We will all work together to achieve both.”

Panetta was sworn in as secretary at a private ceremony shortly before 9 a.m. Gates began squeezing some reductions out of the Pentagon budget before his departure,outlining ways to save $178 billion over the next five years. But achieving further reductions — after a decade of almost unchecked spending -- is expected to be one of the biggest challenges for Panetta.