In a historic move, President Joe Biden has nominated Admiral Lisa Franchetti to head the Navy, breaking a significant gender barrier in the U.S. military. If confirmed, she would become the first woman to command the Navy and join the prestigious Joint Chiefs of Staff.
While Pentagon officials expected Admiral Samuel Paparo to be nominated due to his experience in dealing with China’s challenges, Franchetti’s selection comes as a surprise, though she was among the considered candidates for the position. Her 38 years of extensive expertise in both operational and policy arenas impressed President Biden, making her a highly respected choice for this significant role.
Admiral Franchetti’s nomination follows Biden’s earlier selection of Admiral Linda Fagan to lead the U.S. Coast Guard, breaking another gender barrier. However, the Coast Guard is not part of the Department of Defense and falls under the Department of Homeland Security.
If confirmed, Franchetti will not only lead a military service within the Defense Department but also become part of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, advising the president on military matters. Biden also elevated Admiral Paparo, nominating him to command all U.S. military forces in the Pacific, and appointed Vice Admiral Stephen “Web” Koehler as the successor to Paparo as commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet.