Admiral Lisa Franchetti boasts an impressive career, having served on various surface vessels, including commanding a guided missile destroyer, a destroyer squadron, and two carrier strike groups.
US President Joe Biden on Friday made a historic announcement revealing his nomination of Admiral Lisa Franchetti to lead the US Navy. If confirmed, she will become the first woman to hold this prestigious position and also serve on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. However, her confirmation may face uncertainty as a Republican lawmaker is currently blocking more than 200 senior military nominations in protest of the Pentagon's decision to assist troops seeking abortions during travel.
President Biden's statement emphasized Admiral Franchetti's impressive career, spanning 38 years of dedicated service to the nation as a commissioned officer, with her current role being Vice Chief of Naval Operations. Despite the historic nature of her nomination, the Senate's confirmation process may present challenges before her predecessor leaves office.
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In a statement, Presdient Biden said, "She is the second woman ever to achieve the rank of four-star admiral in the United States Navy, and when confirmed, she will again make history as the first woman to serve as the Chief of Naval Operations and on the Joint Chiefs of Staff."
Admiral Lisa Franchetti boasts an impressive career, having served on various surface vessels, including commanding a guided missile destroyer, a destroyer squadron, and two carrier strike groups. Her leadership experience extends to roles such as deputy commander of US naval forces in Europe and Africa, and deputy chief of naval operations for warfighting development, among others. In September 2022, she assumed the position of vice chief of naval operations.
As Admiral Mike Gilday's four-year term as head of the Navy nears completion next month, the nomination and confirmation of Admiral Franchetti could face delays. Senator Tommy Tuberville's obstruction of military nominees for several months might impact the confirmation process for the first woman set to lead the US Navy and serve on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
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President Biden criticized Tuberville's actions, stating that delaying the approval of these nominees is not only wrong but also dangerous. He emphasized that during this critical time of rapidly evolving security environments and intense competition, such delays put at risk the United States Armed Forces' ability to maintain their status as the world's greatest fighting force. President Biden also pointed out that Tuberville's Republican colleagues in the Senate are well aware of the potential consequences.
If Admiral Franchetti is not confirmed before Admiral Gilday leaves office, she would take over in her capacity as his deputy, similar to the current situation in the Marine Corps.