Not many people know that Sean Spicer currently holds not one – but two – high-profile jobs: White House press secretary and Naval Reserve public affairs officer.

For the good of our country – and the U.S. Navy – it’s time for Spicer to resign from one – or both – of these posts!

Sean Spicer is also a Naval Reserve public affairs officer, and a retired PAO says Spicer's performance reflects badly on the profession. Associated Press/Andrew Harnik

About the Author

Capt. James Harnar of South Portland and Santa Fe, New Mexico, is a retired U.S. Navy public affairs officer.

Here’s why:

In his first 100 days as press secretary, Spicer has failed miserably to establish himself as a credible, coherent communicator.

As a matter of national security, the United States simply cannot rely on a White House press secretary who is unable to clearly and accurately articulate our nation’s intentions as we face severe threats from North Korea, Russia and the Mideast.

As a matter of trust, it’s imperative that the American people – and our allies – have confidence in what we do and what we say.

It’s a dangerous world. So it’s equally important that our adversaries understand precisely where we stand.

Time after time, Spicer has undermined that trust and the vital need for clarity in rambling, incomprehensible and often misleading statements from his White House podium.

The White House press secretary needs to possess the ability to speak with precision and intelligence, with an appreciation of nuance. He needs to be able to interpret complicated issues and demonstrate in-depth knowledge of history, public policy and governance.

In words and thoughts that are clear and measured, his statements and responses must somehow resonate with countless, diverse audiences who look to him for clarity, honesty and confidence.

Despite the fact that Spicer is a fairly senior Navy public affairs officer, or PAO, he was unable to accurately describe the location of one of our nation’s most important assets, the USS Carl Vinson Strike Force.

What do many career U.S. Navy PAOs think of Commander Spicer?

In a word, they’re embarrassed.

Like me, many of them watch in horror as he fumbles and stumbles through press briefings, seemingly unable to respond coherently to even the most straightforward questions. Just about every day now I see an email or two from my wide network of retired PAOs, more often than not criticizing Spicer’s troubled White House tenure – and expressing deep concern about its impact on the efficacy of the Navy’s public affairs program. Spicer’s lack of professionalism threatens the credibility of an entire community of PAOs who work hard to build trust with the media, the public, elected officials and others.

Spicer’s all-too-public self-immolation is a puzzle. Judging from the four-plus rows of ribbons on his uniform, he apparently has performed well in the nearly 20 years he has served in the Reserve.

There’s no question that he has a truly thankless role in the Trump White House. I haven’t found a single Navy PAO or civilian public relations professional who would want his job.

But here’s the deal. While most, if not all, of Sean Spicer’s colleagues are sympathetic to his plight, they’re also underwhelmed by his performance.

In military-speak, the job of White House press secretary is way, way above Sean’s paygrade. Sadly, it shows every time he steps up to the podium.

What the nation – no, the world – sees, is an embattled and often-befuddled press secretary, twisting in the wind as he echoes the president’s often-incoherent policies while attempting, without success, to convey knowledge, strength, integrity.

It’s clear that he can’t pull himself out of this tailspin.

Sadly, Spicer hasn’t demonstrated that he has the smarts and the skills necessary to stand up, day after day, on one of the world’s biggest stages and clearly describe what the most powerful nation on earth stands for – and where we are heading – during these perilous times.

And what about the truth?

Spicer and hundreds of Navy public affairs specialists, including me, long ago committed to guiding principles and regulations that call for openness, honesty and transparency. The Navy Chief of Information’s motto is familiar to us all: “Nil nisi verum,” Latin for “Nothing but the truth.”

He should consider a fresh start, ideally outside Washington, politics and the military.

Let’s face it. If he doesn’t leave on his own, he faces an almost certain high-visibility dismissal. It’s just a matter of time before the president throws him overboard.

And it won’t be pretty.

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