Former Trump chief of staff Reince Priebus officially joins Navy

Former White House chief of staff Reince Priebus on Monday officially joined the U.S. Navy following a commissioning ceremony led by Vice President Pence.

Priebus, 47, was commissioned as an ensign, the junior rank in the Navy, following a months-long application process. Several lawmakers and fellow Wisconsinites attended the ceremony and shared photos after its conclusion.{mosads}

“It was an honor and privilege to attend @Reince’s naval commissioning ceremony this morning. Congratulations and thank you for your service Ensign Priebus!!!” Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) tweeted.

Rep. Bryan Steil (R-Wis.) also attended.

It was an honor and privilege to attend @Reince’s naval commissioning ceremony this morning. Congratulations and thank you for your service Ensign Priebus!!! pic.twitter.com/ZYSFJXlMfr

— Senator Ron Johnson (@SenRonJohnson) June 10, 2019

It was great to be at the commissioning ceremony of Kenosha native @Reince. Today @VP Pence swore him in as an Ensign in the United States Navy! Congrats, Reince! pic.twitter.com/r5GsTRZFuG

— Bryan Steil (@RepBryanSteil) June 10, 2019

Sean Spicer, a Navy reserve officer and the White House press secretary during Priebus’s tenure in the administration, also attended and offered his congratulations on Twitter.

Congratulations to the #Navy’s newest Ensign @reince. Great to join @vp @mikepence @RonJohnsonWI and others as he was sworn in pic.twitter.com/oDgwS8513w

— Sean Spicer (@seanspicer) June 10, 2019

The Navy did not immediately respond to a request for comment about Priebus’s swearing in, but the longtime political insider is expected to serve as a human resources officer.

The Washington Post first reported in December that Priebus had applied to join the Navy as a reserve officer. He underwent a months-long process that included a recommendation from then-Defense Secretary James Mattis.

Priebus wrote in his application statement, which was obtained by the Post, that he was moved to serve following an Oval Office meeting in which President Trump met with the wife and children of a slain Navy SEAL.

He previously served as the chairman of the Republican National Committee and was Trump’s first chief of staff.