President Joe Biden announced a slew of military nominations on Friday afternoon, including the selection of Admiral Lisa Franchetti to lead the Navy.
Biden picked Franchetti, who has spent nearly a year serving as the service's second-in-command, to replace Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Michael Gilday, whose tenure ends on Aug. 21. If the Senate confirms her nomination, she would become the first woman to serve as chief of naval operations and on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
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Franchetti previously served as the director for strategy, plans, and policy for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as commander of the U.S. Sixth Fleet, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Korea, commander of Carrier Strike Group 9, and commander of Carrier Strike Group 15.
The president tapped Vice Admiral James Kilby, who currently serves as the deputy commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command, to fill the vacancy Franchetti's departure will leave.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin reportedly recommended Biden select Admiral Samuel Paparo to become the Navy’s highest-ranking officer over Franchetti, NBC News reported last month.
The president nominated Paparo to be commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and Vice Admiral Stephen “Web” Koehler to serve as commander of the Pacific Fleet.
"Admiral Franchetti, Admiral Paparo, Vice Admiral Kilby, and Vice Admiral Koehler represent the best of the United States Navy," Austin said in a statement. "Together, these four highly decorated naval officers have extensive operational and command experience. Indeed, I have seen firsthand how these highly-qualified officers have contributed to our national security. And 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."
The tenure of recently retired head of the Marine Corps, Gen. David Berger, ended earlier this month, while the head of the Army will have to step down next month, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Mark Milley, will be exiting in early October.
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Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) has put a hold on military promotions and nominations since February due to a Pentagon policy regarding abortion. The department announced it'd pay for the travel expenses incurred for a service member or dependent who needs to travel out of state for an abortion.
While Tuberville and Austin have spoken in recent weeks regarding his hold, neither side has shown a willingness to budge. DOD officials briefed members of the Senate Armed Services Committee on the policy earlier this week.
Gen. Eric Smith is serving as the acting commandant of the Marine Corps because Tuberville's hold has prevented the Senate from confirming him to the position.