Who is Admiral Lisa Franchetti? Joe Biden ignores Pentagon and nominates first woman head of US Navy
Update: In the wake of the retirement of Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday, for the first time in US history, interim officers are filling three of the eight seats on the Pentagon’s board of most senior military members.
On Monday, August 14, Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the vice chief of naval operations received the handover to replace Gilday. However, her confirmation is being held up by one Republican senator, Tommy Tuberville, as part of a protest over abortion policy within the military.
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WASHINGTON, DC: President Joe Biden has made his preference known. Overruling the Pentagon’s recommendation for making Admiral Samuel Paparo the naval chief, President Biden has nominated current Vice Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franchetti to be the head of the US Navy. If her nomination is confirmed, Adm Franchetti will be the first female to be the Pentagon service chief and the first female member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
In a statement on Friday, July 21, Biden commented on why Adm Franchetti will be a good choice for the position, saying, "As our next chief of naval operations, Admiral Lisa Franchetti will bring 38 years of dedicated service to our nation as a commissioned officer, including in her current role of vice chief of naval operations.” He added, "Throughout her career, Admiral Franchetti has demonstrated extensive expertise in both the operational and policy arenas," per Fox News.
VCNO Adm. Lisa Franchetti, nominated to succeed Adm. Mike Gilday as chief of naval operations, with Chief of Navy Reserve VADM John Mustin and Navy Reserve Force Master Chief Tracy Hunt at Adm. Gilday’s relinquishment of office ceremony at the U.S. Naval Academy, August 14, 2023. pic.twitter.com/ZXUIh4pn06
— Navy Reserve (@navy_reserve) August 14, 2023
Who is Admiral Lisa Franchetti?
Admiral Lisa Franchetti is one of the most decorated naval officers in the US. Currently, she holds the position of Vice Chief of Naval Operations. Adm Franchetti has earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism from Northwestern University, where she was a part of the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Program. Adm Franchetti joined the Navy after she received her commission in 1985 through the training program. She has also attended the Naval War College and has a master’s degree in organizational management from the University of Phoenix.
Throughout her 38-year-long career, Adm Franchetti has been part of several high stake operations. Earlier, she served as Director for Strategy, Plans, and Policy for the Joint Chiefs of Staff and as the commander of the US Sixth Fleet, where she was responsible for overseeing the Navy’s response to the use of chemical weapons by Syrian President Bashar al Assad. In her long and illustrious tenure, she has also commanded the US Naval Forces Korea, Carrier Strike Group 9, and Carrier Strike Group 15. She has also been the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for warfighting development.
Upon the confirmation of her nomination, Adm Franchetti will become the first woman to lead the US Navy and be the Chief of Naval Operations. She will also be the first female member of the elite Joint Chiefs of Staff. She is also the second woman ever to achieve the four-star admiral rank in the Navy.
Her personal awards include Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal (two awards), Legion of Merit (five awards), Meritorious Service Medal (five awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards).
Who is Lisa Franchetti married to?
Adm Franchetti is married to James Sievert and the couple is parents to a daughter named Isabel.
.@SecDef Lloyd Austin and @SECNAV Carlos Del Toro were on hand at the @NavalAcademy to celebrate @USNavyCNO Adm. Mike Gilday who relinquished his office today.
— Paul W. Gillespie (@pwgphoto) August 14, 2023
Adm. Lisa Franchetti will take interim role until confirmed by the senate.
More pix https://t.co/2pAYZSIoCT pic.twitter.com/WoqYsdu5U0
'I'm very proud that Admiral Franchetti has been nominated'
The Pentagon chief, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who recommended the current commander of the Navy’s Pacific Fleet, Admiral Samuel Paparo, to be the Naval Chief, praised the President’s recommendation. He said, "I'm very proud that Admiral Franchetti has been nominated to be the first woman chief of naval operations and member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, where she will continue to inspire all of us."