Rumsfeld aide to switch from No. 2 policy position to adviser

WASHINGTON -- In an unusual move, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld is shifting one of his most trusted aides, Stephen Cambone, from the Pentagon's No. 2 policy position to an obscure advisory post, two senior defense officials said Tuesday.

The move is designed to make Cambone a driving force in carrying out the broad defense strategy that he helped Rumsfeld develop during his first 17 months in office, the officials said. They discussed the move, which has not been officially announced, on condition that they not be identified.

In his new job -- director of planning, analysis and estimation -- Cambone will report directly to Rumsfeld. Senate confirmation is not required.

Cambone is the principal deputy undersecretary of defense for policy. It is rare for a Pentagon official to give up a high-level, presidentially nominated policy slot to take a more obscure job.

"This is going to raise some eyebrows," one official said, noting that Cambone has acquired a reputation among the military leadership and some in Congress as a difficult person to deal with, particularly with regard to budget.

Cambone will be in position to ensure that Rumsfeld's strategic goals are being implemented by the military services, in part through the development of service budgets and through decisions on the future direction of major weapons programs such as the Air Force's F-22 stealth fighter, officials said.

Cambone came to the Pentagon with Rumsfeld in January 2001 as a special adviser. He played a key behind-the-scenes role long before President Bush nominated him for the No. 2 policy job in April 2001.