Admiral Lisa Franchetti’s appointment may not be confirmed for months due to a protest in the Senate
US President Joe Biden nominated Admiral Lisa Franchetti as chief of naval operations on Friday, rejecting the recommendation of his defense secretary. If confirmed, she will be the first woman to serve on the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the first female Pentagon service chief.
Biden overrode the advice of Pentagon Secretary Lloyd Austin to promote Franchetti, who has served in the military for 38 years and is currently vice chief of naval operations. Austin reportedly favored Admiral Samuel Paparo, who currently commands the navy’s Pacific Fleet.
Franchetti is only the second woman ever to achieve the rank of four-star general in the navy and has commanded two aircraft carrier strike groups in the Pacific during her tenure. She also commanded US Naval Forces Korea and held a number of other senior roles.
