Global Security Newswire

U.S. Missile Defense Agency Director Lt. Gen. Patrick O'Reilly, shown in 2009. The Obama administration on Monday named its nominee to replace O’Reilly in the key Pentagon post (AP Photo/Susan Walsh).

The U.S. Defense Department on Monday announced its pick to lead the Missile Defense Agency -- Navy Rear Adm. James Syring, who if approved would replace Lt. Gen. Patrick O'Reilly, the Washington Post reported (see GSN, Aug. 3).

The personnel announcement follows an internal Pentagon investigation that found significant fault with O'Reilly's leadership style since becoming MDA chief in November 2008. The inspector general report issued in May said the lieutenant general had "yelled and screamed at subordinates in both public and private settings," and had breached Defense Department ethics rules.

"We recommend the secretary of the Army consider appropriate corrective action with regard to Lt. Gen. O'Reilly," the IG report advised.

Syring presently serves as program executive officer for the Navy's Integrated Warfare Systems program. The nomination calls for him to become a vice admiral as well as taking over the Missile Defense Agency.

No Senate confirmation hearing can be held for Syring until Congress returns from vacation early next month. The Post said it was not apparent whether the Obama administration would install the admiral as MDA head on an interim standing.

The Missile Defense Agency oversees the bulk of U.S. antimissile projects including development of Standard Missile 3 interceptors and the Ground-based Midcourse Defense system (Al Kamen, Washington Post, Aug. 6).