In an era where breaking into federal service typically means clawing your way up the bureaucratic ladder over years—if not decades—Riley Podleski has defied that norm in dramatic fashion. At just 25 years old, she now serves as Assistant Press Secretary at the Department of Defense, a high-visibility role in the world’s most powerful military organization.
What makes her rapid ascent even more curious is the lack of traditional defense or government experience on her resume just a year ago.
From Church Pews to the Pentagon
Podleski holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Liberty University, an evangelical Christian college known for cultivating conservative political talent. Her early career had no direct ties to national security, the military, or Washington, D.C.
Instead, from 2018 to 2022, she worked as Director of Communications at Oasis Church in Rowlett, Texas, managing social media, graphic design, branding, and live production. She then moved on to MLJ Events & Design, a private event company in Dallas, where she juggled tasks ranging from website design to coordinating weddings.
Her brief stint in local government came in 2024 as Assistant to the City Manager in Aubrey, Texas. And then in early 2025, she interned for Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA)—a relationship that seemingly served as her springboard into federal service.
By February 2025, Podleski was promoted to Communications Assistant in Greene’s office. And just four months later, she jumped to the Pentagon as Assistant Press Secretary.
A New Face in a Politically-Charged Press Office
Within the Department of Defense’s public affairs hierarchy, the Assistant Press Secretary position sits beneath both the Deputy Press Secretary and the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs. Podleski now serves directly under Joel Valdez, the Acting Deputy Press Secretary, who holds the number two communications role at the Pentagon.
Valdez, a former Senior Advisor to Reps. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and Lauren Boebert (R-CO), is a known quantity in conservative circles. He first gained attention in 2017 after being pushed out of the University of Illinois for reporting on a university-sanctioned protest against then-President Donald Trump. That incident catapulted him into the right-wing media ecosystem, ultimately leading to a string of advisory roles on Capitol Hill before his Pentagon appointment.
Overseeing both Valdez and Podleski is Sean Parnell, a former Army infantry officer and Afghanistan veteran who now serves as Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs—the top civilian spokesperson for the Department. Parnell, who ran for Congress in Pennsylvania and remains a prominent figure in conservative politics, was appointed earlier this year.
The current structure—Parnell at the top, Valdez as his deputy, and Podleski as Assistant Press Secretary—marks a noticeable shift toward ideological alignment in the Defense Department’s public affairs shop.
A Minimal Digital Trail
Despite her fast rise, Podleski has kept a low profile online. Her Instagram account goes back to 2020 but contains just a handful of selfies and personal photos with limited commentary or insight. She rarely posts about politics or her professional life.
The most revealing entry came in 2022, when she shared a “life update” stating: “Turned 22. Did some traveling. Took up golf. Began training to run a half marathon. Started taking risks & staying out of my comfort zone. Here’s to adventure!”
Other than that, the only posts reflecting her recent career moves are one from April 2025, showing her behind the scenes in Rep. Greene’s office, and another featuring her being sworn in as Assistant Press Secretary at the Pentagon.
From the Fringe to the Frontline?
Whether Podleski’s rise is the result of political loyalty, connections, competence—or some combination of the three—it certainly challenges traditional expectations for staffing at the Pentagon. While critics may view her ascent as emblematic of a broader politicization of defense institutions, others may see it as an example of fresh, young voices entering government service.
Still, in a department where most press officials cut their teeth in uniform, journalism, or national security policy, her resume remains an outlier.
With her foot firmly planted at the podium of the world’s largest military, the only remaining question is: What comes next for Riley Podleski—and how fast will it happen?
Editor’s Note: This article makes no allegations of wrongdoing. It highlights a noteworthy case of rapid career advancement within the federal government.
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