Highlights
- President Biden nominates Admiral Lisa Franchetti to be the Chief of Naval Operations, making her the first woman to hold the position in US history.
- Franchetti has served as Vice Chief of Naval Operations and commanded two carrier strike groups during her 38-year career.
- President Biden also nominates Vice Adm. James Kilby and Adm. Samuel Paparo for key naval leadership positions.
- Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s hold on military nominations raises concerns about delays in confirming senior officers.
In a historic move, President Joe Biden has nominated Admiral Lisa Franchetti to become the first woman to lead the US Navy as its Chief of Naval Operations. If confirmed, she will not only make history as the first female Chief of Naval Operations but also as the first woman to join the prestigious Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Admiral Franchetti brings 38 years of dedicated service to the nation as a commissioned officer, and she currently serves as the Vice Chief of Naval Operations. Her impressive career includes commanding two carrier strike groups and taking up critical roles such as Commander of US Naval Forces Korea and Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfighting Development.
Reading Suggestion: Ohio-class US Nuclear Submarine USS Michigan Makes Historic Visit to South Korea
President Biden praised Admiral Franchetti’s expertise in both the operational and policy arenas, emphasizing her significant contributions to the US Navy. “She is the second woman ever to achieve the rank of four-star admiral in the United States Navy, and when confirmed, she will again make history,” Biden stated.
The President also announced other key naval nominations, including Vice Adm. James Kilby as the next Vice Chief of Naval Operations and Adm. Samuel Paparo to lead US forces in the Pacific as the commander of Indo-Pacific Command.
However, the confirmation process for these nominations and others is facing hurdles, as Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville has continued to hold up senior military nominations. He is protesting Pentagon reproductive health policies announced earlier this year, causing delays in filling critical leadership positions.
The historic nomination of Admiral Lisa Franchetti adds to the Biden administration’s notable firsts within the Defense Department, highlighting its commitment to diversity and inclusion in senior military leadership. The President called for prompt approval of all outstanding military nominees, emphasizing the importance of supporting the military and their families.