 As his tenure with VA @-@ 174 was ending , McCain was assigned to a low @-@ profile desk job within the Naval Air Systems Command . Chief of Naval Operations Admiral James L. Holloway III thought this assignment a waste of McCain 's social talents , and instead in July 1977 McCain was appointed to the Senate Liaison Office within the Navy 's Office of Legislative Affairs ( an assignment Jack McCain had once held ) . The office 's role mostly consisted of providing constituent service and acting as a facilitator among legislators , the Department of Defense , and lobbyists . McCain later said the liaison job represented " [ my ] real entry into the world of politics and the beginning of my second career as a public servant " . McCain 's lively personality and knowledge of military matters made his post in the Russell Senate Office Building a popular gathering spot for senators and staff . He also frequently escorted congressional delegations on overseas trips , where he arranged entertaining side escapades . McCain was influenced by senators of both parties , and formed an especially strong bond with John Tower of Texas , the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee . During 1978 and 1979 , McCain played a key behind @-@ the @-@ scenes role in gaining congressional funding for a new supercarrier against the wishes of the Carter administration and Navy Secretary W. Graham Claytor Jr . In August 1979 , McCain was promoted to captain , and became Director of the Senate Liaison Office . During McCain 's time there , the Senate Liaison Office enjoyed one of its few periods of high influence . 
