Trump names acting defense secretary with Hegseth not yet confirmed

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has not yet been confirmed by the Senate.

Robert Salesses, the deputy director of the Pentagon's Washington Headquarters Service, has been named acting secretary of defense, and three other Defense Department officials will temporarily take on leadership positions within the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

The incoming Trump administration required senior executives at the Pentagon who had already been confirmed by the Senate. Salesses is a retired Marine who served in the Gulf War and received a Bronze Star.

He has been heading up the Washington Headquarters Service, which encompasses all the capital region's support services, encompassing stuff like facility maintenance and the office of chief legal advisor, as well as other groups that provide support to the military branches and the Pentagon leadership.

Hegseth may see his Senate Armed Services Committee nomination advanced as early as Tuesday, but due to the large number of nominees requiring approval, the full Senate might not take up his nomination until later this week.

Trump has also appointed Mark Averill, a career civil servant since 2009, to serve as acting secretary. Averill, who attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, previously worked as the administrative assistant to Army Secretary Christine Wormuth.

Terence Emmert, who has served as the principal deputy chief technology officer for mission capabilities, will serve as the acting Navy secretary. He formerly served in the Navy as a pilot and has extensive experience in research and testing.

Gary Ashworth, who has held the position of assistant secretary for acquisition on an interim basis, will serve as acting Air Force secretary. With over 20 years of Air Force experience, Ashworth previously commanded an acquisition squadron during his final assignment with the Air Force.

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There are approximately 2,500 National Guard and Reserve members currently deployed to active duty at the border. This does not account for those serving under state National Guard orders. U.S. Northern Command, responsible for troops on federal orders, is authorized to maintain a total of 2,500 personnel at the border at this time.

"The service members provide detection and monitoring, data entry, training, transportation, vehicle maintenance, and warehousing and logistical support every month. The authorization also includes light helicopter support for air surveillance in support of CBP personnel on the ground," NORTHCOM said in a statement.

The command "is working closely with the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Department of Defense, and stands ready to perform the homeland defense mission."

Currently, no active-duty troops are stationed on the border, but some in leadership positions handle command and control tasks in exceptional situations.

NBC was the first to report Salesses' appointment.