Bush last week approved a plan that realigns who would be in charge at the Pentagon should the secretary and deputy secretary of defense be incapacitated. Previously the No. 3 spot was the secretary of the Army followed by civilian leaders of the Air Force and Navy. The undersecretaries for intelligence, policy and acquisition have been moved into the Nos. 3-5 slots.

A Pentagon spokesman told The Washington Post (NYSE:WPO) the move makes sense because it puts people with "a broader perspective on the department overall" in position to take control should Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and Acting Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England not be able to perform their duties.

The change, however, does not affect regular day-to-day operations at the Pentagon, the Post said.

The Pentagon said Thursday that England has left his position as secretary of the Navy -- he had two top Defense Department positions for about eight months -- and will be replaced Tuesday by Donald Winter.