Pentagon chooses new NSA chief

A cryptologist and veteran of the U.S. Navy is set to become the next Director of the National Security Agency, the Pentagon announced Thursday. Vice Admiral Michael S. Rogers will also head up U.S. Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM), which deals with centralization and defense related to military networks. Traditionally, one military officer has taken up both posts. According to a statement from the Department of Defense, "Rogers currently serves as the U.S. Fleet Cyber Command commander" but will require Senate confirmation before replacing General Keith Alexander, "who has served as the NSA director since 2005, and the Cyber Command commander since 2010." Additionally, "Richard Ledgett has been selected to serve as the NSA deputy director," it was noted. "In his new role as the senior civilian at NSA, Ledgett acts at the agency's chief operating officer." Ledgett is best known for his comments during an interview about amnesty for former NSA contractor Edward Snowden, when he said it's "worth having a conversation about." President Barack Obama, in a statement released by the National Security Council, called the two nominees "the right people to provide experienced and principled leadership for the NSA moving forward."