White House Dismisses Navy’s First Female Leader, Plans Funding Cuts

The Trump administration has ordered the diversion of eight percent of military spending and fired two senior service leaders, Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Gen. C.Q. Brown and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the first woman to hold the post and the first female member of the Joint Chiefs. Franchetti’s unprecedented dismissal brings her term to an end almost three years early.

The Pentagon dismissed Adm. Franchetti before selecting a permanent replacement, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said Friday that he is open to nominations for candidates for the post. Vice CNO Adm. James Kilby has taken on Franchetti’s role in the interim. 

Adm. Lisa Franchetti is a surface warfare officer by background. She commanded USS Ross (DDG 71), and she served aboard USS Shenandoah, USS Monongahela, USS Moosbrugger and USS Stout. She also commanded Carrier Strike Group 9; Carrier Strike Group 15; and headed Stra…