US President Joe Biden has made a historic decision, selecting Admiral Lisa Franchetti to be the Navy’s top officer. If confirmed, Admiral Franchetti will shatter the glass ceiling, becoming the first woman in the US Navy’s history to hold this esteemed position. Additionally, she will achieve another groundbreaking milestone as the first woman to join the prestigious Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Admiral Franchetti’s illustrious career history, currently serving as the vice chief of naval operations, speaks to her exceptional qualifications. With a commission dating back to 1985, she has held various significant roles, including commanding US Naval Forces Korea, serving as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfighting Development, and leading as director for Strategy, Plans, and Policy of the Joint Staff, as cited in her official biography. Furthermore, she has demonstrated her expertise by commanding two carrier strike groups and assuming the role of Vice CNO in September 2022.
President Biden has expressed full confidence in Admiral Lisa Franchetti’s appointment, praising her outstanding 38-year tenure as a commissioned officer, during which she has also served as Vice Chief of Naval Operations. The President commends her dedication to serving the nation and her exceptional expertise in both operational and policy matters.
Her commendable accomplishments are further acknowledged by her prestigious rank as a four-star admiral, making her only the second woman in the history of the United States Navy to achieve this distinction, as emphasized by President Biden.
Upon her confirmation, Admiral Franchetti will secure her place in history once again as she assumes the distinguished role of Chief of Naval Operations and joins the esteemed Joint Chiefs of Staff. This represents a momentous milestone in gender representation within the military, as affirmed by the US president.
The announcement on July 21 also included other notable nominations for key military positions. Vice Adm. James Kilby, presently serving as deputy commander of US Fleet Forces Command, has been nominated as the next Vice Chief of Naval Operations. Meanwhile, Adm. Samuel Paparo, who currently commands US Pacific Fleet, has been nominated to lead US forces in the Pacific as the commander of Indo-Pacific Command. Additionally, Vice Adm. Stephen “Web” Koehler has been nominated to succeed Adm. Paparo as commander of the US Pacific Fleet.
These nominations have garnered praise from US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, who applauds the admirals’ qualifications, stating they will play a pivotal role in ensuring the US Navy and the joint force in the Indo-Pacific remain a formidable military force. Their contributions will be instrumental in projecting power worldwide, protecting freedom of the seas, and upholding the rules-based international order.
It is noteworthy that Admiral Franchetti’s nomination marks yet another historic moment for the Biden administration’s Defence Department. With the first Black secretary of defence and the first female Army secretary, Christine Wormuth already in place, her potential confirmation will also make history by having the Pentagon’s two most senior leaders as Black men, further solidifying the administration’s commitment to diversity and progress.