Adm. Daryl Caudle was sworn in Monday as the Navy’s 34th chief of naval operations (CNO) succeeding acting CNO Adm. James Kilby. His assumption of the post ended a 184-day vacancy in the Navy’s top uniformed position, the longest since the office was established in 1915.
Today Adm. Daryl Caudle was sworn in as the 34th Chief of Naval Operations by Secretary of the Navy John Phelan. His vision as CNO puts Sailors front and center — prioritizing quality of life, expanded training, and the support they need to succeed. pic.twitter.com/gOW5AcigNJ
— USNavyCNO (@USNavyCNO) August 25, 2025
At his swearing-in ceremony at the Washington Navy Yard, Caudle outlined plans to develop an updated fleet design that integrates emerging military technologies. He added that the design reflects how the Navy intends to operate in the coming years.
“The way we fight today will not be the way we fight tomorrow. We will relentlessly innovate, adapt and accelerate the integration of cutting-edge technologies, artificial intelligence, robotics and autonomous systems, resilient command and control networks, hypersonic weapons, advanced manufacturing and quantum-enabled sensing,” he said.
In the same speech he added that sailors will be his priority.
“Ensuring quality of service is my priority, from housing, childcare, healthcare, to investing in world-class training and qualification standards. We will make certain our Sailors have everything they need to be successful. Because when they sail into harm’s way, they deserve nothing less than the absolute best.”
A career submariner and former head of U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Caudle hails from North Carolina and graduated from North Carolina State University in 1985.
According to his biography on the Navy website, he previously held several key submarine leadership positions, including commander of Submarine Forces, commander of Submarine Force Atlantic, commander of Task Forces 114, 88, and 46, and commander of Allied Submarine Command.
Nominated in June and confirmed by the Senate in July, Caudle joins the Joint Chiefs of Staff, where he will advise President Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and the National Security Council.
His appointment follows a series of senior officer dismissals this year, including Adm. Lisa Franchetti, Vice Adm. Shoshana Chatfield, Rear Adm. Milton Sands III, and Vice Adm. Nancy Lacore.
