Ex-Marine general takes helm of US Secret Service

Retired US Marine Gen. Randolph "Tex" Alles was sworn in on Tuesday as the new director of the Secret Service. He previously served as the deputy head of the US Customs and Border Protection agency. In 2011, he retired from the marines as a major general after a 35-year-career as a naval aviator.  
The Secret Service, part of the Department of Homeland Security, is responsible for protecting the president and other senior government officials, protecting the White House and investigating financial fraud such as counterfeiting. The service has recently been struggling to overcome a negative image, attrition of staff and a series of errors including a number of intrusions into the White House grounds.