Ashton Carter sworn in as secretary of defense

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Ashton Carter was sworn in Tuesday as President Barack Obama's fourth secretary of defense.

The 25th defense chief was sworn in at the White House by Vice President Joe Biden. He replaces Chuck Hagel.

Biden called Carter a "profoundly capable manager" who has the "universal respect and affection" from the people he works with.

"If anyone is made for this job, if there's a job description that fit a person, this is the guy that fits the job description," Biden said.

Carter said the position is the "highest calling" and he wanted to make three commitments to the department, the Obama administration and the country's citizens.

He said he wants to "help our president make the best possible decisions about our security and the security of the world" and "make sure our department executes our decisions."

Carter said he's also committed to protecting the men and women of the Department of Defense, and "building a force for our future."

Carter was confirmed as defense chief Thursday by the Senate with a vote of 93-5 after receiving unanimous support from the Armed Services Committee.

Meanwhile, Biden might have stolen the show from Carter on Tuesday when he leaned in close to the new defense chief's wife, Stephanie Carter, and whispered in her ear.

Though President Barack Obama was in attendance at Carter's swearing-in ceremony, he and Biden met with the new defense chief later Tuesday in the Oval Office.