In a groundbreaking move, President Joe Biden has made history by overruling the Pentagon’s recommendation and selecting Adm. Lisa Franchetti to become the head of the Navy. If confirmed, she will be the first woman to serve as a Pentagon service chief and the first female member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. This decision came as a surprise, as Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had recommended Adm. Samuel Paparo, the current commander of the Navy’s Pacific Fleet, for the position.
President Biden announced his historic decision in a statement on Friday, acknowledging the unprecedented nature of Adm. Franchetti’s nomination due to her gender. He highlighted her remarkable achievements, noting that she is only the second woman ever to reach the rank of four-star admiral in the Navy.
“With 38 years of dedicated service to our nation as a commissioned officer, including her current role as vice chief of naval operations, Admiral Lisa Franchetti brings extensive expertise in both the operational and policy arenas,” President Biden praised her qualifications.
Adm. Franchetti’s illustrious career includes commanding two aircraft carrier strike groups in the Pacific and serving as the commander of U.S. Naval Forces Korea, deputy chief of naval operations for warfighting development, and director for strategy, plans, and policy of the Joint Staff. Notably, during her tenure as head of 6th Fleet, she effectively led the Navy’s response to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s use of chemical weapons.
Despite President Biden’s deviation from Secretary Austin’s recommendation, Austin expressed his support for Adm. Franchetti’s nomination, expressing pride at her potential to become the first woman chief of naval operations and member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
In addition to nominating Adm. Franchetti for the top Navy post, President Biden appointed Adm. Paparo, Austin’s preferred choice, as the commander of Indo-Pacific Command. Moreover, the president selected Vice Adm. James Kilby to be the vice chief of the Navy and Vice Adm. Stephen Koehler to head the Pacific Fleet, further solidifying his vision for a strong and diverse military leadership.
However, Adm. Franchetti’s confirmation may face delays, as Sen. Tommy Tuberville from Alabama has initiated a protest against a Defense Department policy that pays for travel expenses when a service member or their dependents leave the state to obtain an abortion. His actions have stalled the confirmation of several general and flag officers, threatening to impede the functioning of the United States Armed Forces.
In response to Sen. Tuberville’s protest, President Biden condemned the obstruction, emphasizing the significance of maintaining the country’s military readiness and capabilities in the face of evolving security environments and intense global competition.
“Senator Tuberville’s actions are not only wrong but also dangerous,” President Biden warned. “By impeding the confirmation process for these esteemed officers, he jeopardizes our ability to ensure that the United States Armed Forces remain the greatest fighting force in the history of the world. His Republican colleagues in the Senate must recognize the implications of these actions.”
Adm. Franchetti’s nomination is yet another significant milestone for the Biden administration’s Pentagon. Prior to this appointment, the administration had already broken barriers with the appointments of the first Black secretary of defense and the first female Army secretary.
President Biden’s commitment to diversity and inclusion in the military leadership extends beyond the Navy. He has also nominated Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. to become the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. If confirmed, this historic appointment would mean that the Pentagon’s two highest-ranking leaders would be Black men for the first time in history.
President Biden’s selection of Adm. Franchetti and his dedication to promoting diversity in the military’s highest echelons showcase his administration’s commitment to breaking down barriers and creating a more inclusive and representative leadership. As the confirmation process unfolds, the nation will eagerly await the historic moment when Adm. Lisa Franchetti takes her place as the head of the U.S. Navy, marking a milestone that paves the way for future generations of women in the armed forces.
