Admiral Lisa Franchetti could be the Navy's new chief of naval operations and the first woman to hold the top post. The current deputy chief is President Joe Biden's nominee, although she will need Senate approval for her nomination to be confirmed.
"Adm. Lisa Franchetti currently serves as the Vice Chief of Naval Operations. She is a surface warfare officer with extensive operational and policy experience. She previously served as the Director for Strategy, Plans, and Policy for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and as commander of the U.S. Sixth Fleet. She has also served as commander of U.S. Naval Forces Korea, commander of Carrier Strike Group 9, and commander of Carrier Strike Group 15," the White House said in a statement.
"She received her commission in 1985 through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Program at Northwestern University, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Journalism. She also attended the Naval War College and holds a master’s degree in organizational management from the University of Phoenix. If confirmed, Admiral Franchetti will be the first woman to serve as Chief of Naval Operations and on the Joint Chiefs of Staff," the White House continued.
With 38 years of experience, Admiral Franchetti, 59, now aspires to lead the naval branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, replacing Admiral Mike Gilday, who concludes his term in the fall of this year.
White House and Pentagon misunderstanding
The Pentagon disagrees with Joe Biden on Admiral Franchetti's nomination. The ideal candidate for Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was Admiral Samuel Paparo, The Hill reported in June.
The president ignored the recommendation of his most trusted Pentagon insider and proposed Admiral Paparo as commander of the Indo-Pacific Command, already having the idea of nominating Admiral Franchetti for chief of naval operations of the Navy.
Other nominations
In addition to Admiral Franchetti and Admiral Paparo, Joe Biden nominated Vice Admiral James Kilby for the position of vice chief of naval operations and Vice Admiral Stephen Koehler for the position of commander of the Pacific Fleet.
