Vice Chief Adm. Lisa Franchetti took the helm of the US Navy as the 33rd Chief of Naval Operations, making her the first woman to hold the position.
In a ceremony held at the United States Naval Academy on August 14, Adm. Mike Gilday stepped down from his role as the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), marking the end of his four-year term as the Navy’s foremost military leader.
Following his departure, Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti, who has received president Biden’s nomination as the next CNO, will take on the responsibilities of the position until a formal appointment is made in accordance with legal procedures.
Amid Adm. Gilday’s departure, he lauded Adm. Franchetti as exceptionally qualified to navigate the responsibilities of CNO during this time of uncertainty and unprecedented leadership transition.
“I am proud that she will be my CNO,” said Gilday. “She is a Fleet Sailor, an operator, a warfighter. She has already made the Navy better as our Vice Chief of Naval Operations, the Navy is in good hands with her at the helm,” said Adm. Gilday.
Having secured President Biden’s nomination for the position of the 33rd Chief of Naval Operations in July, Adm. Franchetti, if approved, will make history as the inaugural female service chief and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
“For the past 247 years, the US Navy has stood the watch. We, along with the Marine Corps are America’s Away Team, around the world and around the clock. As we look to the future, our mission continues, undisrupted and unabated. We fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows so that others can too,” Adm. Franchetti affirmed.
