President Trump selected Tennessee state Sen. Mark Green for Army secretary after his initial pick backed out two months ago, the White House announced Friday evening.
“Mark will provide strong civilian leadership, improve military readiness and support our service members, civilians, and their families,” Defense Secretary James Mattis said in a statement issued today.
“And, he will have my full support during the Senate confirmation process … I am confident of Mark’s ability to effectively lead the Army.”
Green was rumored in mid-March to be the leading candidate for the military post, but he had recently announced that he was running for Tennessee governor. If confirmed, he would have to put his state political ambitions on hold.
The 52-year-old physician created AlignMD, an emergency room management firm. He joined the state Senate in early 2013 and also serves as chaplain of the Tennessee Senate GOP Caucus.
As an Army physician, Green was part of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, which took him on three tours to the Middle East.
Green and Vincent Viola, Trump’s previous nominee, both graduated from West Point. Viola withdrew his name for the position on March 2, citing an inability to separate his private financial investments from his work as a government official.
