Defense Sec. Mattis Names Senior Adviser, Chief of Staff

Defense Secretary James Mattis has "hit the ground running," appointing his senior military adviser and chief of staff at the Pentagon, Stars and Stripes reported.

Rear Admiral Craig Faller and retired Rear Admiral Kevin Sweeney were tapped for the respective posts Monday, the military news outlet reported.

"Mattis hit the ground running," Navy Capt. Jeff Davis, a Pentagon spokesman, told Stars and Stripes.

Confirmed by the Senate on Friday, Mattis spent four hours at the Pentagon on Saturday and met with Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

In his first words to the Defense Department, Mattis told civilian and uniformed personnel that "together with the Intelligence Community, we are the sentinels and guardians of our nation," Stars and Stripes reported.

"We need only look to you, the uniformed and civilian members of the department and your families, to see the fundamental unity of our country."

• Mattis: Women, LGBT Troops Contribute to Lethality of Military
• Pence Swears in Mattis, Kelly to Trump National Security Posts