Roche requests Army nomination be withdrawn Published March 10, 2004 WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche is no longer in the running for the vacant secretary of the Army job.Secretary Roche requested March 10 that Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld withdraw the nomination. President George W. Bush nominated Secretary Roche for secretary of the Army on July 7 but the Senate Armed Services Committee had yet to report on the nomination to the full Senate for a vote.“Given the range of issues before the Senate in a busy legislative year, I accept that my nomination is unlikely to be considered this year,” Secretary Roche said. “In the interest of the Department of Defense, I decided it was best that I withdraw from further consideration.“I intend to apply myself to the full range of important matters facing the Air Force, including the fine Airmen who are serving our country so proudly,” Secretary Roche said.In acknowledging Secretary Roche’s decision, Secretary Rumsfeld said, “Jim Roche has served ably as secretary of the Air Force and would have been a first-rate secretary of the Army. I look forward to continuing to work with him.”