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Secretary of State Called Up for Active Military Duty

JEFFERSON CITY - The first sitting statewide, elected official in Missouri to be called up for military service will report for active duty in less than a week.

Secretary of State Matt Blunt told reporters his office review has determined he's the first in a state elected position to find himself called back into uniform.

Executive Deputy Secretary Dan Ross will perform the secretary of state's duties, but Blunt said he expects to be in frequent contact with the office.

"I am leaving very comfortable that Missouri taxpayers will continue to be well-served by the secretary of state's office," Blunt said. "We will continue to try to implement the programs and the types of changes that I think will better serve Missourians."

Ross will be authorized to affix Blunt's signature to documents, but Blunt will remain responsible for any actions his office takes in his absence.

Blunt graduated from the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., in 1993 and served five years of active service. He is now a member of the U.S. Naval Reserves and holds the rank of lieutenant.

Blunt will report to his reserve center Oct. 9 and will go to a Navy processing center in the United States for a few days. Blunt will then be given an active duty command.

Of the 53 members of his reserve unit, Blunt is one of the 19 activated at this time.

"Matt has spent an awful lot of time in the last ten years in a Navy uniform, and he is well-prepared for this latest assignment," said his father, U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt, R-Mo. in a statement Wednesday.