Pittsburgh native and Army combat veteran Sean Parnell has been named chief spokesperson at the Pentagon.
President Donald Trump made the announcement Monday night in a social media post, calling Parnell “a great American patriot” and a “fearless combat veteran.”
“It’s an unbelievable honor to have the President of the United States put something out about you,” Parnell told Marty Griffin during an interview on KDKA Radio Tuesday.
The best-selling author volunteered for military service when he was 20.
Parnell, who fought in Afghanistan, says he hopes to change a military culture that has "gotten off track... with less of a focus on readiness, war fighting and lethality."
Parnell lost a close race to Conor Lamb in PA 17th district Congressional race in 2020.
Parnell announced a Senate run in 2021 but dropped out after losing a battle for sole custody of his three children.
Parnell’s ex claimed, in court, that he abused her physically and mentally.
Laurie Snell said that Parnell choked her and injured their children.
Parnell has denied those allegations.
He has since remarried and tells Marty he has access to his three kids and has adopted his wife’s two daughters.