Let’s play Spot The SecNav!
December 2nd, 2009 | leadership Washington | Posted by Phil Ewing
This image of Navy Secretary Ray Mabus' visit to a lock-out chamber aboard the fast-attack submarine New Hampshire wasn't the only time he's been tricky to spot. His guest appearance on "NCIS" also calls for a sharp eye // Lt. Patrick Evans / Navy
When CBS announced, and the Navy confirmed, that Navy Secretary Ray Mabus would be playing an agent of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service on an episode of its eponymous formu-drama, there were high expectations.
Maybe Mabus would kick down a door, pistol drawn, and yell “federal agent!” Maybe he would pose as a crack dealer as part of an undercover sting. Maybe he would stand in line for lunch at the Quizno’s on 8th Street SE, down the block from NCIS Headquarters at the Navy Yard, and then walk back to his car and curse because he’d gotten a ticket, because the parking meters there are always broken.
All wrong — as it turned out, Mabus’ cameo lasted less than 60 seconds. No gunplay, no high-powered hostage negotiations, no roughing up suspects. If you’re curious, you can click this link to check out video of Mabus’ guest spot in “NCIS,” which occurs at about 29:53 in this file. But stay sharp: Blink and you’ll miss him.