US President Joe Biden has nominated Admiral Lisa Franchetti as the chief of naval operations, a position that, if confirmed, will make her the first woman to serve on the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the first female Pentagon service chief. This move, however, goes against the recommendation of Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, who favored Admiral Samuel Paparo for the role.
Admiral Franchetti, who has dedicated 38 years to the military and currently holds the position of vice chief of naval operations, has an impressive track record. She is only the second woman in history to achieve the rank of four-star general in the navy and has commanded two aircraft carrier strike groups in the Pacific. Additionally, she has also held senior roles such as commanding US Naval Forces Korea.
The decision to bypass Secretary Austin’s recommendation and choose Admiral Franchetti has raised eyebrows in the Pentagon. It is reported that Secretary Austin supported Admiral Paparo, who currently commands the navy’s Pacific Fleet. Despite this disagreement, President Biden went ahead and nominated Franchetti, indicating his confidence in her abilities and leadership.
In addition to Franchetti’s nomination, President Biden also promoted Admiral Paparo to lead the Indo-Pacific Command. Vice Admiral Steven Koehler was named as Paparo’s replacement at the helm of the Pacific Fleet. The president also nominated Air Force General Charles Brown as the new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, set to replace Mark Milley, who is retiring in September.
While the confirmation of these appointments is typically routine, a protest by Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville has caused delays in the process. Senator Tuberville has been blocking military promotions for months, objecting to the Department of Defense’s policy of funding travel expenses for service members or their family members seeking abortions. This protest has affected over 250 military promotions since its initiation in March.
President Biden addressed Senator Tuberville’s actions, labeling them as “dangerous.” The president expressed concerns about the impact of the protest on national security and the readiness of the United States Armed Forces. Tuberville’s stonewalling has already left the Marine Corps without a confirmed commander for the first time in 164 years, with General Eric Smith unable to be confirmed since assuming the role on an acting basis earlier this month.
The Biden administration’s emphasis on diversity within the military has drawn criticism from some quarters. Critics argue that prioritizing diversity may compromise military readiness and effectiveness, especially as recruitment figures decline. Despite this criticism, the White House maintains that diversity provides a strategic advantage in times of war.
The confirmation process for Admiral Lisa Franchetti’s appointment and the other military promotions may face further delays due to Senator Tuberville’s protest. As a result, the Senate may take several months to reach a resolution on these nominations. In the meantime, the military will continue to operate without confirmed leaders in key positions, raising concerns about the potential impact on national security and military operations.
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