Looking at this guy's bio it appears his career consisted of being a public spokeshole, for the majority of the time, aside from some time as an instructor, for the Navy.
Kirby was commissioned in September 1986 after completing Officer Candidate School at Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island. He qualified as a Surface Warfare Officer aboard the guided-missile frigate USS Aubrey Fitch (FFG 34) before obtaining a lateral transfer to the Restricted Line as a Public Affairs Officer (PAO). As a public affairs officer, Kirby served at sea aboard the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal (CV 59) and on the staff of the Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet, embarked aboard the command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20).[2]
While ashore, Kirby completed tours as an instructor at the U.S. Naval Academy; public affairs officer with the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron (Blue Angels); editor in chief of the Navy's flagship monthly magazine, All Hands; the staffs of the Chief of Naval Personnel, Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe, Chief of Naval Operations, and the special assistant for public affairs to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. His served as the deputy assistant secretary of defense for media operations,[2] serving under the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs.
To me it looks like he got out of a risky assignment, lateral move, asap. I may be wrong but seems like a John F'n Kerry kind of officer.
