The Pentagon has 53 of these top positions and, until this week when a new Air Force secretary was confirmed, the only position filled was that of the Defense Secretary.
Some 116 of 119 key State Department vacancies have yet to be filled, including both No. 2 slots, where one nominee is awaiting confirmation to hold both positions. All the ambassadorships, with the exception of those for the United Nations and Israel, are also unfilled.