Brigadier General Roberto Bendini, who previously served in Kirchner's native Patagonia, replaced outgoing army chief General Ricardo Brinzoni, who had been fiercely opposed by human rights groups.

Bendini's appointment was part of a sweeping military reform measure ordered by Kirchner late Tuesday, just ahead of Argentina's annual Armed Forces Day. It is further than any other previous leader has gone to assert civilian control over the armed forces in Argentina, which has known several military coups since 1930.

Before his inauguration, Kirchner had vowed to rid the armed forces of veteran officers tainted by connections with human rights violations committed during Argentina's 1976-1983 dictatorship.

Some 30,000 people "disappeared" while under military custody and are presumed to have been murdered.

Top commanders named by Kirchner included Brigadier General Jorge Chevalier, who was to take over as head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, replacing General Juan Carlos Mugnolo.

Brigadier General Carlos Rohde will take over the air force June 4, and Rear Admiral Jorge Godoy will take the helm of the navy June 5.

Godoy, like Bendini, previously served in Kirchner's native Patagonia.

Media reports said some 52 top-level officers would retire -- 27 from the army, 13 from the navy and 12 from the air force. The reports said this made up more than 50 percent of the top military leadership.

But Defense Minister Jose Pampuro said Tuesday the forced departures could be limited to between 16 and 27 top officers.

Outgoing army chief Brinzoni said in a bitter final speech that the changes were "political intrigue" and he warned that it could be risky and return Argentina to the instability of 20 years ago.

"These dismissals hurt, not because of the personnel, but because of the unexplained circumstances surrounding it," Brinzoni said the in the Armed Forces Day speech as Pampuro listened.

Pampuro has said the president's ambitious plans for the country include "a renovation of the entire military structure," and that the changes had been accepted by the military "in a climate of total tranquility."

However, the Clarin newspaper said Wednesday that Kirchner had rejected the defense minister's call for a more conciliatory attitude with the military brass.

Kirchner, who was inaugurated Sunday, won the presidency after former president Carlos Menem withdrew from a runoff vote -- a victory that means the 53-year-old former provincial governor will have to work hard to win the public confidence he needs.

WAR.WIRE