Secretary of the Army Eric Fanning has a lot of work ahead of him. Keeping the Army strong enough to counter threats from Russia, China, and international terrorism while facing constant budget questions is tough.
Only time will tell if he can rise to the challenge. If nothing else, though, he will definitely leave his mark on the Twittersphere because he is already killing it there.
Fanning was confirmed on May 17, 2016. Since then, he’s Tweeted a Star Wars GIF to show love for baseball:
.@PatrickMurphyPA: @Phillies could probably use a strike, but I gotta support the home team. Go @Nationals! pic.twitter.com/BxyUsE2DDo
— Eric Fanning (@SECARMY) May 31, 2016
… and an “Across the Universe” GIF to talk about Fort Jackson drill sergeants turning citizens into Soldiers:
At @FortJacksonPAO for the day to observe how the @USArmy turns citizens into Soldiers. #basictraining pic.twitter.com/48XrkOqxXU
— Eric Fanning (@SECARMY) June 7, 2016
Of course, it’s not all movies with the new SECARMY. He was scheduled to visit soldiers training in Anakonda 16 during the 241st Army Birthday and tweeted a clip of Nicki Minaj’s “Anaconda” video to let them know he was coming to Torun, Poland to make sure they were working out:
.@16thSustBde can’t #earnyourcake w/fancy ? edits. OMW ➡️ Torun 2 verify you’re #armystrong #Anakonda16 @NICKIMINAJ pic.twitter.com/XR589Yi8Wj
— Eric Fanning (@SECARMY) June 13, 2016
That turned into a Twitter exchange where he challenged a German general to one-handed pushups (via a GIF of “Kung Fu Panda,” because of course he used “Kung Fu Panda”) and 16th Sustainment Brigade soldiers responded with a video of 0-handed pushups:
@SECARMY @UnderSecArmyPA @USAMurphy @USArmyEurope @USArmy Challenge accepted,how abt 0 handed pushups! #EarnYourCake pic.twitter.com/p4bxAviH5b
— 16th SB (@16thSustBde) June 14, 2016
While he was in Poland, he visited those same troops and worked out with them, then tweeted a photo of it:
.@16thSustBde: Until I lived it, I wouldn’t have believed it. You went above beyond to earn it. Happy #ArmyBDay ?? pic.twitter.com/q1yNjRby4j
— Eric Fanning (@SECARMY) June 14, 2016
Finally, while Fanning was working out with the troops, the Secretary of the Navy tweeted a happy birthday message to America’s oldest military branch. The Fanning responded with an awesome sea turtle, giving a nod to the sea service and “The Little Mermaid” in the process:
.@USNavy @SECNAV @USNavyUnderSec thanks for the #ArmyBDay props! Wish we could celebrate together #UndertheSea ??? pic.twitter.com/c5byuO2Mvb
— Eric Fanning (@SECARMY) June 14, 2016
Fanning is going to face a lot of leadership challenges during his tenure as secretary. He’s already had to offer leadership and condolences as Fort Hood lost nine soldiers killed when their truck overturned in floodwaters and the Army Reserve lost a captain in the attack at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando.
But while he can’t be physically present every time a soldier is in danger or needs comfort, he can help keep morale up by ensuring troops know that someone smart and capable has their back in Washington D.C. If he can run the beltway half as well as he runs his Twitter feed, then the Army should be okay.