SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Brian Williams’ suspension from Nightly News came about to allow the 55-year-old journalist time to enlist in the U.S. Marines, according to a new report from NBC News.

Williams could not be reached for comment, declining to say anything except that he can't wait until “people see [him] as a bad-ass again.”

“This is great for the network,” NBC News President Deborah Turness told Duffel Blog. “With Williams’ penchant for exaggeration, a real-life combat experience will yield taller tales and higher ratings than ever before.”