Leaving ‘Best Job in Government,’ Navy Secretary Dalton to Step Down

Describing his post as “the best job in government,” Navy Secretary John H. Dalton said Monday he will nonetheless leave his position after more than five years of service.

Dalton, 56, said he plans to return to the private sector at the end of the year, although he did not specify in what capacity.

Defense Secretary William S. Cohen did not discuss any potential nominees for the post, saying he will await word from President Clinton. Cohen said he hopes the administration will have a nominee in time for the Senate to approve before it adjourns for the year in October.

Published reports have said Cohen and Dalton did not get along and that Cohen was pressing behind the scenes for Dalton to leave the Pentagon. Dalton on Monday denied any such rift, saying he and Cohen “enjoy a fine professional relationship.”

At a Pentagon briefing, Dalton said he is proud of the strides made in the department. “I love this job,” he said. “I consider myself extremely fortunate to have served in this capacity.”

Dalton recounted the challenges facing the department when he took office: a need to improve its reputation and to upgrade its operations.

Cohen said Dalton had worked hard and successfully to address another challenge: shoring up the public image of a Navy battered by sexual-harassment charges in the wake of the embarrassing 1991 “Tailhook” scandal at a Las Vegas hotel, where male Navy and Marine Corps fliers were accused of fondling and assaulting women.

Clinton said he accepted Dalton’s resignation “with a deep sense of gratitude.” Clinton credited Dalton with helping the Navy and Marine Corps rise to “the challenge of change” without abandoning the services’ core values.