Rumsfeld becomes oldest to hold Defense secretary post

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who already has notched two firsts in his Pentagon career, achieved another this week.

When he took the oath of office in January 2001, Rumsfeld became the first person ever to serve a second tour as Defense secretary. He had held the top Pentagon post for 14 months, from Nov. 20, 1975, to Jan. 20, 1977, during Gerald Ford's brief presidency.

When he assumed the office for the first time, Rumsfeld was the youngest defense secretary ever, at 43 years, four months and 11 days old. This week, Rumsfeld added a bookend to that status, eclipsing former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger as the oldest to hold the job.

The reference books show that Rumsfeld reached that mark Monday when he became 70 years, three months and five days old.

Weinberger's seniority mark was set as he left office in 1987. But Rumsfeld shows no sign of leaving, which means he will continue to add to his record.