General Pete Schoomaker has taken over from General Eric Shinseki as the chief of staff of the US Army.
 
Gen Schoomaker is returning from retirement to replace Gen Shinseki, who had a series of disagreements with US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld over the size of the US force in Iraq.

In his confirmation hearing this week, Schoomaker said the army would probably need more than the 4,80,000 soldiers
now on active duty because of the demands on the force.

Schoomaker's deep experience in special operations fits well with Rumsfeld's aim to transform the army from a  heavy Cold War bulwark into a leaner, more expeditionary force.

Agencies