Hagel Calls For Overhaul in Nuke Forces

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel says the military's failure to maintain its focus on the nation's nuclear forces led them to be mismanaged and to "slowly back down the hill."

He vowed to invest in and bolster the force, saying there is no problem on this issue the Pentagon can't fix.

Hagel says there has been a consistent lack of investment and support in the force, and said the Pentagon will increase spending by 10 percent a year for the next five years -- which would equal nearly $10 billion.

He is ordering top-to-bottom changes in how the nation's nuclear arsenal is managed to reverse leadership lapses, security flaws and sagging morale.

He says anyone in a position of responsibility will be held accountable to insure the improvements are done.