First SEAL Tapped to Head SOCOM

Vice Adm. Eric Olson, President Bush's pick to lead U.S. Special Operations Command, will achieve two notable firsts if he is confirmed by the Senate: He will be the first Navy officer to lead the command since it was formed two decades ago and the first SEAL to earn four stars.

Olson, 55, has been nominated to replace Army Gen. Bryan "Doug" Brown, the Defense Department announced Thursday. Brown, who has been the Tampa-based SOCom commander since September 2003, is planning to retire in July after 40 years in uniform.

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