Pentagon chief of staff Kevin Sweeney steps down

WASHINGTON -- Kevin Sweeney, chief of staff of the US Department of Defense, announced Saturday his resignation from the post.

"After two years in the Pentagon, I've decided the time is right to return to the private sector," Sweeney said in a statement.

His departure comes after former Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis stepped down last month.

Mattis, who worked with Sweeney when he led the US Central Command, picked Sweeney to be his chief of staff in early 2017. Sweeney retired as a rear admiral from the US Navy in 2014.

Sweeney's decision is the latest by a senior official to leave the Pentagon. Earlier this week, Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White announced her departure.

Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan is now acting US secretary of defense.