washington nominee next u.s. army secretary tell lawmakers thursday cut size force increase risk american security reductions would require rethink army role priorities eric fan longtime senior defense official would first openly gay military service secretary tell confirmation hear reduce army 450,000 troop 2018 490,000 currently manageable would increase risk national security pentagon process cut almost trillion project defense spend decade 2011 deal approve white house congress cut active-duty army 420,000 soldier could require spend cut reverse would require whole new set assumptions guidance army suppose priorities say fan would replace army secretary john mchugh step several months ago republican presidential candidates blast cut promise military spend confront international threats include islamic state fan would bring unique experience job serve senior level three branch u.s. arm force include stint act air force secretary act army secretary members senate arm service committee largely positive fan nomination although panel wait several months take lead administration name act army secretary prompt republican senator john mccain chairman committee write letter white house november charge fan appointment act secretary violation law bar nominees take step presume confirm white house disagree fan step deference mccain concern since prepare confirmation hear advocacy group say fan nomination significant sign progress protect right gays lesbians serve world powerful military many years u.s. military follow ask tell policy allow gays serve disclose sexual orientation abolish policy 2011. nominee u.s. army secretary warn impact troop cut