Robert G. Salesses, deputy director of the Pentagon’s Washington Headquarters Service, has been appointed the acting defense secretary. (Stars and Stripes)

WASHINGTON — Robert Salesses will serve as President Donald Trump’s acting defense secretary as the nomination of Pete Hegseth to lead the Defense Department lingers in the Senate.

“Mr. Robert G. Salesses was sworn in at [12:01 p.m.] to serve as the acting secretary of defense today at the Pentagon,” said a defense official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Salesses is the deputy director of the Pentagon’s Washington Headquarters Service, the agency’s administrative branch. The service includes all the Capitol Region support services, including facilities management and the office of general counsel and others that support the military branches and Pentagon leadership.

Salesses served as a Marine in the Gulf War, earning a Bronze Star, The Associated Press reported.

Hegseth could see his nomination as defense secretary advanced by the Senate Armed Services Committee as early as Monday, but the full Senate might not vote on his nomination until later this week.

The White House also announced Monday other acting secretaries until the posts are filled by appointment. Mark Averill will serve as acting Army secretary, Terence Emmert as acting Navy secretary, Gary Ashworth as acting Air Force secretary and Todd Hunter as acting Department of Veterans Affairs secretary.