Priebus tapped to join Navy with support from Mattis

Former White House chief of staff Reince Priebus could join the Navy following a recommendation from Defense Secretary James Mattis and his selection as a reserve officer, according to The Washington Post.

The Post reported that, according to defense officials and a memo it acquired, Mattis personally recommended Priebus be commissioned into the Naval Reserve, citing the former Trump aide’s “experience, education, and personality.”

{mosads}“Secretary Mattis agreed to write a letter of recommendation on his behalf,” a spokesperson for Mattis told the Post. “The letter is consistent with applicable standards.”

Priebus declined to comment to the Post.

Priebus exited the Trump administration last year and was replaced by current White House chief of staff John Kelly, whose own resignation was announced Saturday.

The search for Kelly’s replacement is ongoing, with former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) being the most recent reported contender to decline consideration for the role.

The former chief of staff wrote to Naval officials that his Oval Office meeting with the family of Senior Chief William Owens, a slain Navy SEAL, spurred his desire to serve in the Naval Reserve.

“At that moment, the gravity of every action we take in the West Wing rushed down upon my shoulders,” Priebus wrote of the 2017 meeting, according to the Post. “Everything suddenly became extremely real and raw. As some time passed, a few other senior aides joined me in the Cabinet Room and we discussed the consequences, harsh realities and weight of what we do every day.”

The Post reports that the review board “professionally recommended” that Priebus be commissioned as an officer, though a Navy spokesman declined to comment on the record concerning individual cases.

“As a matter of policy, we do not comment on the cases of individual applicants due to privacy concerns,” the spokesman told the Post.