Obama sends Panetta, Petraeus nominations to Senate Published May 27, 2011 WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- President Barack Obama has formally nominated CIA Director Leon E. Panetta to be the nation's next secretary of defense and Army Gen. David H. Petraeus to succeed Mr. Panetta at the CIA. President Obama announced his choices April 28 and sent the nominations to the Senate, which must confirm them, May 26. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates is scheduled to retire June 30. (Courtesy of American Forces Press Service)