Newly minted US Secretary of Defense Ash Carter is mulling whether to install a civilian spokesman to replace the departing Rear Adm. John Kirby, who has been the uniform-clad PR face of the Pentagon since late 2013.
The well-respected, 28-year Navy vet Kirby, who is staying on for a few weeks in a transition period, said in his Feb. 18 press briefing that Carter has not yet made a decision about his replacement as press secretary but wants to "revisit the role of spokesman here" and consider "whether it's appropriate or not to have a uniform up here."
Asked by the press corps whether it has been uncomfortable to wear a uniform and speak for White House military policies, Kirby said it wasn’t a big issue. "It hasn't -- it just hasn't been a big problem for me," he said. "And I don't know whether that's because of my experience here in the Pentagon, or whether it's because that I've known all of you for so long and you know where I can't go, I think it's probably a combination of that."
The New York Times, citing unnamed administration officials, said Carter wants a civilian in the chief spokesman role.
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