The former U.S. general who commanded the troop surges in Iraq and Afghanistan is now giving orders at the Central Intelligence Agency.

Newly retired Army General David Petraeus was sworn in as CIA chief Tuesday at the White House.

Vice President Joe Biden led the ceremony, praising Petraeus for his strategic vision and leadership, telling him there is no time to waste in the war on terror.

After the swearing in, Petraeus thanked President Barack Obama for showing “confidence in an old soldier.”

Petraeus becomes the CIA's 20th director less than a week before the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks on New York and Washington. He replaces Leon Panetta, who left to become Secretary of Defense.

The 58-year-old Petraeus spent 37 years with the U.S. Army, most recently commanding NATO-led forces in Afghanistan.