Biden tipped to appoint first woman as Pentagon chief

Michele Flournoy is tipped for a top job in the Biden administration (AFP via Getty Images)

US president-elect Joe Biden is expected to select a woman to head the Pentagon for the first time, with veteran Pentagon moderate Michele Flournoy the frontrunner.

Five men have held the top job under Donald Trump, and the most recent defence secretary to exit was Mark Esper, who was fired on Monday after pushing back on the use of military to stop civilian unrest.

The most recent defence secretary to go was Mark Esper, who was fired by Mr Trump on Monday after pushing back on issues including troop withdrawals and the use of the military to quell civilian unrest.

If she is confirmed, Ms Flournoy will face shrinking Pentagon budgets and potential military involvement in the distribution of a coronavirus vaccine.

The appointment would be particularly notable given the department only opened all combat jobs to female service members about five years ago.

Ms Flournoy had been the expected choice of Hillary Clinton if she had won the 2016 election. 

The 59-year-old has served multiple times in the Pentagon, starting in the 1990s and most recently as the undersecretary of defence for policy from 2009 to 2012.

She serves on the board of Booz Allen Hamilton, a defence contractor, which could raise concerns from some legislators.

However, her position as a moderate would probably ensure wide bipartisan support in a position that requires confirmation from the US senate.

Few other names have been mentioned, though former department of homeland security chief Jeh Johnson was listed as a possible choice at one point.

Choosing a woman would be consistent with Mr Biden's pledge to have a diverse Cabinet.

Ms Flournoy views China as the most significant long-term challenge to American predominance on the world stage.

In July, she said the United States is losing its military technological advantage over key competitors like China, and that reversing this trend must be the Pentagon's top priority.

AP contributed to this report