Vice Chief of Naval Operations (VCNO) Adm. Lisa Franchetti took over as acting Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) from retiring CNO Adm. Mike Gilday during a ceremony on Aug. 14 at the Naval Academy, becoming the third service to be led by an acting leader amid a Senate confirmation logjam impacting top leaders across the military.
Gilday is retiring after serving in the position for four years. President Biden nominated
Franchetti to move up from the number two to top Navy officer spot last month (Defense Daily, July 21).
As the number two officer in the Navy, Franchetti has become the acting CNO until her confirmation is approved by the full Senate. Her confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee is expected in September after the upper chamber returns from recess. As a result, Gilday ended his tenure with a relinquishment of office ceremony rather than a formal change of command.
Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) has put a blanket hold on DoD nominations, including service officers, in objection to department policy paying for leave and travel for non-covered reproductive healthcare.
If confirmed, Franchetti would become the first woman to serve as CNO and on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Before becoming VCNO Franchetti served as Commander of U.S. 6th Fleet, Director for Strategy, Plans, and Policy for the Joint Chiefs of Staff; commander of U.S. Naval Forces Korea; and commander of two carrier strike groups.
Media reports earlier this year said Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin recommended Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet, to be the next CNO over Franchetti. Biden ultimately nominated Paparo to instead become commander of Indo-Pacific Command.
During the ceremony, Austin praised Gilday but took the opportunity to reiterate the blanket hold on officers is a “painful milestone” and called on the Senate to confirm the over 300 military nominations being held up.
“Because of this blanket hold, starting today, for the first time in the history of the Department of Defense, three of our military services are operating without Senate-confirmed leaders. This is unprecedented. It is unnecessary. And it is unsafe,” Austin said.
The hold is also keeping Gen. Eric Smith, assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, from being confirmed, so he is also leading his service as acting commandant after former commandant Gen. David Berger retired last month (Defense Daily, July 10).
Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Randy George is also serving as acting Chief of Staff of the Army.
“This sweeping hold is undermining America’s military readiness. It’s hindering our ability to retain our very best officers. And it’s upending the lives of far too many American military families,” Austin added.