US Navy Gets Its First Female Chief, Lisa Franchetti

The United States Senate has approved Adm Lisa Franchetti’s nomination to take over the Navy.

Franchetti will be the Navy’s first female commander and the first woman to serve on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

She was confirmed as Chief of Naval Operations by a vote of 95-1. Her promotion was postponed for several months.

Franchetti, who President Joe Biden appointed in July, joined a growing list of senior generals and flag officers whose promotions were stalled by a Republican senator.

Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama has obstructed nominations in protests of the Pentagon’s travel restriction for service members needing abortions.

After the Supreme Court overturned the historic 1973 Roe v. Wade decision upholding the fundamental right to abortion last year, the Pentagon announced that it would cover travel fees for military personnel who are required to fly out of the state for an abortion due to their state’s regulations.

Since Roe v. Wade was overturned, several states have restricted abortion access. The military claims that its service members ought not to be denied abortions.

Franchetti has been a surface warfare officer with experience at all levels, including command of a naval destroyer and two tours as the commander of an aircraft carrier strike group.

She has 38 years of experience and is only the U.S. Navy’s second woman to be elevated to the rank of four-star admiral.

Gen David W. Allvin was appointed Air Force chief of staff following Franchetti’s confirmation.

Marine Corps Lt. Gen Christopher Mahoney has been confirmed as the Marine Corps associate commandant.

References: BBC, defense post

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