Bloglander

A former Spokane Target store manager has reportedly given up his red shirt and returned to his old line of work, taking a job with the National Nuclear Security Administration to oversee all nuclear weapons nationwide. 

The Project on Government Oversight recently reported retired Air Force Col. Steve Asher had been named acting Associate Administrator for Defense Nuclear Security.

Retired Air Force Colonel Steve Asher has been named acting Associate Administrator for Defense Nuclear Security/Chief of Defense Nuclear Security at the NNSA, according to the Nuclear Weapons & Materials Monitor, which means he is in charge of all nuclear weapons sites around the country.

That's a long way from the clearance rack where just a few years ago the retired colonel was interviewed by KREM 2 for a feature on Black Friday sales.

KREM posted a follow-up today with side-by-side photos of the colonel in uniform and the friendly store manager from their 2009 feature.

A trade publication, Nuclear Weapons & Materials Monitor, reported Asher started working for the NNSA as a security consultant in late 2012. The NNSA is apparently shaking up its commanders after recent security issues.

Here's more background information on the situation from Mother Jones.