Lisa Franchetti confirmed as first woman to head the United States Navy
The US Senate has voted to approve Admiral Lisa Franchetti as the highest ranking officer in the United States Navy.
Adm Franchetti is the first woman to become Chief of Naval Operations and joins an elite group of senior military officers who make up the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The Senate approved the high-level military promotion by a 95-1 vote, sidestepping one Republican senator's months-long blockade of hundreds of promotions.
'Honoured'
Adm Franchetti's nomination by President Joe Biden marked the first time a woman had been put forward to head a Pentagon military service branch.
Following the announcement of her promotion, Adm Franchetti said: "I am honoured to have been confirmed as the 33rd Chief of Naval Operations, and am proud to serve alongside the sailors and civilians that make up our navy team.
"I look forward to continuing to lead the world’s most powerful navy."
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said he was glad the Senate had confirmed Adm Franchetti in her new role after the nomination for her promotion, and that of other officers, had been stalled.
He said: "They are outstanding leaders who have faithfully served their country for decades, and I know they will continue to be great leaders of our force as they continue to tackle the crucial national security issues of these challenging times."
Military career
Adm Franchetti was commissioned in 1985 through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Programme at Northwestern University, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Journalism.
At the time of her commission, female surface warfare officers were typically limited to serving on auxiliary ships, and it was not until 1994 that President Bill Clinton opened service on combat ships to women.
Adm Franchetti began her at-sea career as an auxiliaries officer and first division officer on the USS Shenandoah, before going on to be a navigator and jumboisation coordinator - a shipbuilding technique to significantly enlarge an existing vessel - aboard the USS Monongahela and then as an operations officer on the USS Moosbrugger.
After serving on several destroyers, she went on to command the guided missile destroyer USS Ross and Destroyer Squadron DESRON-21.
Adm Franchetti was later appointed commander of US Naval Forces Korea before commanding two different aircraft carrier strike groups, Carrier Strike Group 9 and Carrier Strike Group 15.
She has also served as commander of US 6th Fleet, deputy commander of US Naval Forces Europe, deputy commander of US Naval Forces Africa and director for strategy, plans and policy at the Joint Staff.
Adm Franchetti was promoted to four stars, becoming the Vice Chief of Naval Operations in September 2022.
Military awards
Her personal awards include the 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).
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