Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin named Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder the next Pentagon press secretary on Thursday.
Ryder will assume the role later this month, Austin said in a statement. Over the next few weeks, he’ll conclude his time as the director of affairs at the Department of the Air Force, where he oversaw Air Force and Space Force responsibilities.
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“He brings a wealth of experience, including joint and deployed assignments that will serve him well as he informs the media of our activities around the world,” Austin said of Ryder. “I am confident that I will benefit from his counsel, and that the American people will benefit from his ability to clearly and consistently communicate our efforts to protect the United States and its interests around the world, take care of our people, and strengthen our unrivaled alliances and partnerships.”
Ryder previously worked under Austin at U.S. Central Command from 2013-2016, serving as Austin’s top spokesman during the latter’s time as CENTCOM commander. Ryder was also the top spokesman for Joint Chiefs of Staff from 2017-2019.
Ryder is filling the vacancy left by retired Rear Adm. John Kirby, who departed at the end of May to join the National Security Council as its coordinator for strategic communication.
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He is expected to remain in uniform at least in the near-term future, which is a rare occurrence, according to CNN, which first reported Ryder’s selection.
