US President Joe Biden has selected Admiral Lisa Franchetti as the top officer of the Navy, making history with her appointment. If confirmed, she would become the first woman to hold this esteemed position in the US Navy’s history and the first woman to join the joint chiefs of staff, as reported by CNN.
Admiral Lisa Franchetti, currently serving as the vice chief of naval operations, boasts an impressive career trajectory. Commissioned in 1985, she has held various pivotal roles, including commander of US Naval Forces Korea, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfighting Development, and director for Strategy, Plans, and Policy of the Joint Staff, according to her official biography.
Having commanded two carrier strike groups and assuming the role of Vice CNO in September 2022, Admiral Franchetti has garnered President Biden’s confidence as the next Chief of Naval Operations. With an outstanding 38-year tenure as a commissioned officer, including her current position as Vice Chief of Naval Operations, her dedication to serving the nation is commendable, as acknowledged by the President.
Throughout her illustrious career, Admiral Franchetti has demonstrated exceptional expertise in both operational and policy matters, added President Biden. Her accomplishments include achieving the prestigious rank of four-star admiral, making her only the second woman in the history of the United States Navy to attain this position.
Upon her confirmation, Admiral Franchetti will once again etch her name in history by becoming the first woman to hold the distinguished role of Chief of Naval Operations and join the Joint Chiefs of Staff. This represents a significant milestone for gender representation in the military, further promoting diversity and inclusivity.
President Biden’s recent announcement on nominations for key military positions also includes Vice Adm. James Kilby as the nominee for the next Vice Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Samuel Paparo nominated as the commander of Indo-Pacific Command, and Vice Adm. Stephen “Web” Koehler nominated to take charge of the US Pacific Fleet.
The US Defence Secretary, Lloyd Austin, praised the nominations, highlighting the crucial role of each admiral in maintaining the US Navy’s strength in the Indo-Pacific region and upholding the rules-based international order.
Admiral Lisa Franchetti’s appointment is a significant milestone for the Biden administration’s Defence Department, which has already witnessed historic firsts, including the first Black secretary of defence, the first female Army secretary, Christine Wormuth, and the potential confirmation of the first Black men as the Pentagon’s two most senior leaders, as reported by CNN.