DOD set to fill three key civilian posts

The Pentagon has named three appointees for key civilian positions within the Defense Department.

Elbridge Colby was tapped to be the next deputy assistant secretary for strategy and force development. Colby was most recently a fellow at the Center for New American Security, specializing in nuclear policy, according to the Pentagon announcement.

Pete Giambastiani has been chosen as the principal deputy assistant secretary for legislative affairs. Giambastiani was most recently chief of staff to Rep. Tom Rooney (R-Fla.), a member of the House Appropriations and Intelligence Committee.

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Giambastiani also served as a special assistant to the deputy under secretary of the Navy and the secretary of the Navy under President George W. Bush.

Thomas Goffus will be named the next deputy assistant secretary for Europe and NATO.

Goffus, a retired Air Force colonel, was most recently a professional staff member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. While working for the committee, he was the lead adviser on national military strategy, counterterrorism, international defense cooperation, and foreign policy issues in U.S. Central Command and U.S. European Command.