President Barack Obama has nominated Eric Fanning to be the next US Army secretary and if confirmed by the Senate, Fanning will server as the first openly gay person to take on that role.

“Eric brings many years of proven experience and exceptional leadership to this new role,” Obama said in a statement on Friday. "I am grateful for his commitment to our men and women in uniform, and I am confident he will help lead America's Soldiers with distinction. I look forward to working with Eric to keep our Army the very best in the world."

Fanning has so far worked as the deputy undersecretary and deputy chief management officer for the Department of the Navy.

He has also served as deputy director of the Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism, undersecretary of the Air Force, and later as the acting US secretary of the Air Force.

Fanning, who holds a degree from prestigious Dartmouth College, has recently worked as chief of staff to the secretary of Defense and acting undersecretary of the Army.

US Secretary of Defense Ash Carter has welcomed Fanning's nomination, saying  "I know he will strengthen our Army, build on its best traditions and prepare our ground forces to confront a new generation of challenges."

The decision marks the latest step taken by the Obama administration to open up the military to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

On June 26, the Supreme Court declared same-sex marriages legal across the entirety of the United States.

Critics say that the same-sex marriage will lead to the disintegration of family institution and sanctity of marriage. They contend that the same-sex marriage is against the nature of human beings and all divine religions define marriage as the union between one man and one woman.