--- title: "The Navy’s new top officer is the first female Chief of Naval Operations" description: "On November 2, 2023, the U.S. Senate confirmed Admiral Lisa Franchetti as the 33rd Chief of Naval Operations." date: "2023-11-02" modified: "2023-11-02" authors: - name: "Miguel Ortiz" job_title: "Senior Contributor, Army Veteran" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/miguelortiz/" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/military-news/the-navys-new-top-officer-is-the-first-female-chief-of-naval-operations/" categories: - "History" - "Military News" - "Navy" tags: - "News" --- # The Navy’s new top officer is the first female Chief of Naval Operations ![]() On November 2, 2023, the U.S. Senate confirmed Adm. Lisa Franchetti as the 33rd Chief of Naval Operations. With her confirmation, Franchetti became the first woman to hold the position as the Navy’s top officer. Moreover, she is the first woman to serve in the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Prior to her confirmation, Franchetti served as the Vice Chief of Naval Operations and functionally served as CNO in an acting capacity. ![Adm. Lisa Franchetti’s VCNO portrait.]() **Adm. Lisa Franchetti’s VCNO portrait (U.S. Navy)** A native of Rochester, NY, Franchetti commissioned in 1985 through Northwestern University’s Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps; she received a Bachelor of Science in Journalism. This also makes Franchetti the first CNO to commission through ROTC. She also attended the [Naval War College]() and received a Master's degree in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix. ![Adm. Lisa Franchetti visits Marine Corps Base Hawaii as VCNO.]() **Adm. Franchetti visits Marine Corps Base Hawaii as VCNO (U.S. Marine Corps)** A [Surface Warfare Officer]() by trade, Franchetti served aboard the USS *Shenandoah* (AD-44), USS *Monongahela* (AO-178), USS *Moosbrugger* (DD-980), USS *Stout* (DDG-55), and USS *Ross* (DDG-71). She served as the Executive Officer and the Commander of the *Stout* and *Ross*, respectively. Franchetti’s commands also include DESRON-21, embarked on USS *John C. Stennis* (CVN-74), and Pacific Partnership 2010, embarked on USNS *Mercy* (T-AH-19). ![Vice Adm. Franchetti visits Great Lakes as commander, U.S. 6th Fleet.]() **Vice Adm. Franchetti visits Great Lakes as commander, U.S. 6th Fleet (U.S. Navy)** As a Flag Officer, Franchetti’s commands include U.S. Naval Forces Korea, Carrier Strike Group 9, Carrier Strike Group 15, and U.S. 6th Fleet, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO. She assumed the duties as Vice Chief of Naval Operations on September 2, 2022. Franchetti’s awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal (two stars), 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). ## Author Miguel Ortiz is a Senior Contributor for We Are The Mighty covering primarily military news and history with an emphasis on weapons technology. He is a former active duty Army officer and remains a member of the Army IRR. After commissioning through San Diego State University Army ROTC, Miguel served with the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, NY. He has written for We Are The Mighty since 2020, drawing from his passion for the military community and history. Miguel’s work has also been seen on Business Insider and The Blast. He remains an avid shooter, competing in local USPSA matches. Miguel’s other hobbies are traveling and watch collecting. ### Author social links [LinkedIn]()