McHugh to step down as U.S. Army secretary: Pentagon

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McHugh, a former Republican congressman from New York, has notified Democratic President Barack Obama of his desire to step down by November, giving the White House time to organize a smooth transition to a new secretary, the Pentagon said.

"Secretary McHugh has been a tremendous public servant for decades, and he has helped lead the Army through a period of challenge and change," Defense Secretary Ash Carter said in a statement. "Every soldier is better off because of his hard work and vision, and so is the country."

McHugh was sworn in as the 21st secretary of the Army on Sept. 21, 2009. At the time of his appointment by Obama, he was a nine-term Republican member of the House of Representatives from north-central New York state.

(Reporting by David Alexander; Editing by Jonathan Oatis)