Chiefs demoted in Pentagon succession line

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http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/news/breaking_news/13502142.htm

Chiefs demoted in Pentagon succession line
Associated Press

WASHINGTON - The three military service chiefs have been dropped in the Bush administration's doomsday line of Pentagon succession, pushed beneath three civilian undersecretaries in Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld's inner circle.

A little-noticed holiday week executive order from President Bush moved the Pentagon's intelligence chief to the No. 3 spot in the succession hierarchy behind Rumsfeld. The second spot would be the deputy secretary of defense, but that position currently is vacant. The Army chief, which long held the No. 3 spot, was dropped to sixth.

The changes, announced last week, are the second in six months and mirror the administration's new emphasis on intelligence gathering versus combat in 21st century warfighting.

Technically, the line of succession is assigned to specific positions, rather than the current individuals holding those jobs.