By Abdulkareem Haruna

President Joe Biden has announced a groundbreaking move in nominating Adm. Lisa Franchetti to be the new Navy chief. If confirmed, Franchetti will become the first woman to serve as a Pentagon service chief and the first female member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a significant milestone in the history of the U.S. military.

Franchetti, currently serving as the vice chief of operations for the Navy, was considered a top contender for the role due to her extensive command and executive experience.

“Throughout her career, Admiral Franchetti has demonstrated extensive expertise in both the operational and policy arenas,” Biden stated, underlining the historical importance of this nomination.

This decision comes as a surprise to many, as it contradicts the recommendation of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who proposed Adm. Samuel Paparo, the current commander of the Navy’s Pacific Fleet, for the position. Despite this, Austin expressed his support for Franchetti’s nomination, praising her for her profound influence on the Navy.

Franchetti’s nomination, however, is facing delay due to Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, who is currently blocking multiple military confirmations in protest of a Defense Department policy concerning reproductive care for service members. Biden criticized Tuberville, accusing him of compromising military readiness for his domestic political agenda.

Adam. Lisa Franchetti. Photo credit: AP/file

Franchetti is expected to assume her role as acting Navy chief next month when Adm. Michael Gilday, the current top naval officer, retires. While several women have served as military service secretaries, none have taken on the role of top uniformed officer.

Franchetti’s nomination marks a significant step towards greater gender equality in the U.S. military. As a surface warfare officer, she has commanded at all levels, including heading the U.S. 6th Fleet and U.S. Naval Forces Korea. She was the second woman ever to be promoted to four-star admiral and has led multiple deployments, including as a commander of a naval destroyer and two aircraft carrier strike group stints.

In addition to Franchetti, Biden also announced plans to nominate Vice Adm. Samuel Paparo to lead the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Vice Adm. James Kilby as Vice Chief of the Navy, and Vice Adm. Stephen Koehler as the head of the Pacific Fleet.

This series of nominations by Biden signals a significant shift in the leadership of the U.S. military and a strong commitment to promoting highly qualified women to top military positions.