This story was originally published on July 1, 2019, after CNN obtained a list of senior roles at the Pentagon being filled by temporary officials. It was updated on July 8 after Adm. William Moran announced his retirement.

Washington (CNN) 19 of the most senior roles at the Pentagon lack permanent appointees, after it was announced that Adm. William Moran who was set to become the branch's top uniformed officer is instead retiring after his judgment was questioned over a professional relationship he maintained with a former Navy public affairs official who left the Navy after an investigation into alleged incidents of sexual misconduct.

That brings the total of number of roles without permanent appointees to nineteen. Last week the Department of Defense confirmed to CNN that eighteen roles were unfilled, providing a complete list of positions currently being filled by temporary officials.

It is a reflection of the Department of Defense's ongoing struggle to establish an unprecedented transition plan aimed at ensuring continuity of leadership at the highest levels while there is still no confirmed secretary of defense.

The top priority is to get Mark Esper's nomination to the Senate Armed Services Committee so a confirmation hearing for the acting secretary of defense can be scheduled quickly. Esper stepped into the acting position following the dramatic implosion of Patrick Shanahan's nomination last month.

Due to federal regulations, Esper is expected to have to instantly step down as the acting secretary during that confirmation process, several officials have said. Government lawyers are looking to see if there are any loopholes that could keep him in the job through a confirmation vote, a defense official previously told CNN.

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