United States Department of Defense

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta holds a joint press conference with Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki at the U.S. Veterans Affairs Building in Washington, D.C., Dec. 6, 2012. Panetta and Shinseki met before the press conference to discuss ways to help facilitate veteran disability claims as well as the new transition assistance programs. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, right, holds a joint press conference with Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki at the U.S. Veterans Affairs Building in Washington, D.C., Dec. 6, 2012. Panetta and Shinseki met before the press conference to discuss ways to help facilitate veteran disability claims as well as the new transition assistance programs. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta meets with Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki at the U.S. Veterans Affairs Building in Washington, D.C., Dec. 6, 2012. Panetta and Shinseki met to discuss ways to help facilitate veteran disability claims as well as the new transition assistance programs. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta poses for a photo with Bill the Goat, the U.S. Naval Academy Midshipmen mascot, during a pep rally held in the halls of the Pentagon, Dec. 6, 2012, two days ahead of the historic Army-Navy college football game. DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta greets the U.S. Naval Academy Midshipmen cheerleaders and band during a pep rally held in the halls of the Pentagon, Dec. 6, 2012. Each year before the historic Army-Navy football game, which is set for Dec. 8, 2012, the Navy and Army pep squads conduct a rally at the Pentagon and visit the offices of senior Defense Department leaders. DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley

Deputy Secretary of Defense Ashton B. Carter delivers remarks at the F-35 Change of Program Executive and retirement ceremony for Navy Vice Adm. David J. Venlet in the Pentagon auditorium, Dec. 6, 2012. Venlet, the outgoing F-35 Program Executive, was relieved by Air Force Lt. Gen. Christopher C. Bogdan, who also attended the event. DOD photo by Glenn Fawcett

Incoming F-35 Program Executive Air Force Lt. Gen. Christopher C. Bogda, left, shakes hand with retiring Navy Vice Adm. David J. Venlet, right, during an F-35 Change of Program Executive and retirement ceremony in the Pentagon auditorium, Dec. 6, 2012. Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter also attended the event. DOD photo by Glenn Fawcett

Navy Adm. Samuel J. Locklear III, commander of U.S. Pacific Command, briefs the media on Asia security issues at the Pentagon, Dec. 6, 2012. DOD photo by Glenn Fawcett

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Ben Edwards leaps over an irrigation ditch during a partnered patrol with Afghan soldiers in southern Afghanistan's Helmand province, Nov. 27, 2012. Edwards, a squad leader, is assigned to Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Timothy Lenzo

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Clinton Rivas patrols through southern Afghanistan's Helmand province, Nov. 27, 2012. Rivas, a rifleman, is assigned to Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7. The Marines teamed with Afghan soldiers and visited a local police station. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Timothy Lenzo

Navy Capt. Samuel Paparo, outgoing commander of Carrier Air Wing 7, breaks away from a formation while performing aerial demonstrations above the aircraft carrier the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in the Medidterranean Sea, Dec. 2, 2012. The Dwight D. Eisenhower is returning to her homeport of Norfolk, after operating in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Justin R. Wesley

Members of the Naval Medical Center San Diego wheelchair basketball team, Wolfpack, do pace drills during a team practice in San Diego, Dec. 1, 2012. Made up of 13 military and civilian members, Wolfpack is one of 10 teams in the West Coast Conference of the National Wheelchair Basketball Association with a record of 8-2. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class John Philip Wagner