(CNN) -- He forged his views of war and the military as a young man in mine-plagued fields of Vietnam. Now Chuck Hagel may become the first Vietnam veteran and first enlisted soldier to serve as U.S. defense secretary. In nominating him to succeed Leon Panetta, President Barack Obama urged the Senate to confirm a man he said "bears the scars" of that war and has the skill to guide the military through new challenges. "Chuck Hagel is the leader that our troops deserve," Obama said. If Hagel is confirmed, the Defense Department would be led by someone who advocated deep cuts to its budget. He's bucked his fellow Republicans in opposing troop surges in Iraq and Afghanistan, telling his biographer: "I will do all I can to prevent war." And he's come under fire over comments about Israel, a top American ally, and Iran, a top American foe.
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Obama says the ex-senator from Nebraska is "the leader that our troops deserve"
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Hagel says he's eager to "set the record straight" about where he stands on issues
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He's been criticized by Republicans for his position on Iraq, Iran and Israel
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Colin Powell says he supports Hagel; Iraq vet Rep. Tom Cotton opposes him
"He understands that sending young @placeholder to fight and bleed in the dirt and mud is something that we only do when it's absolutely necessary."