Thomas Mancinelli, a senior official currently overseeing legislative affairs at the Pentagon, has been selected to assume the responsibilities of the under secretary of the Navy starting next month following Erik Raven’s departure, as confirmed by a spokesperson for Raven to Breaking Defense.
Mancinelli presently serves as the principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for legislative affairs. Raven’s upcoming exit in August prompted Mancinelli’s temporary appointment to the under secretary position. Raven announced earlier this month his intention to leave the Pentagon, with Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro acknowledging Raven’s service to the Navy without specifying the reasons for his departure or his successor’s identity.
Responding to inquiries about Raven’s departure, Capt. Courtney Hillson, the spokesperson for Raven, stated to Breaking Defense, “He is departing to pursue other opportunities and prioritize family. Mr. Raven extends his gratitude to the President, Secretary of Defense, and the Secretary of the Navy for the privilege to serve.”
Before assuming his current role at the Pentagon, Mancinelli served as a national security advisor for Delaware Senator Chris Coons (D), as outlined in his Pentagon biography. His professional background includes roles at the State Department and two deployments to Iraq as a Marine.
The under secretary position requires Senate confirmation, typically involving a new nominee selected by the President in cases of the incumbent’s resignation. Given the limited timeline until the next presidential election and President Joe Biden’s recent declaration not to seek a second term, the likelihood of a new nominee being expedited through the process before January 2025 is extremely low.
