Adm. Daryl Caudle has been confirmed as the Navy’s Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), filling a post that has been vacant since February.
The Senate approved his nomination by voice vote on Thursday, following President Donald Trump’s June 17 selection.
Caudle succeeds Adm. James Kilby, who served as acting CNO after Trump removed Adm. Lisa Franchetti without explanation. Franchetti, the first woman to hold the position, was dismissed as part of a broader shakeup of the Joint Chiefs of Staff that also saw the firing of Gen. Charles “CQ” Brown Jr.
Caudle, a four-star admiral and career submariner, has been serving as the commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command in Norfolk, Virginia, since December 2021.
Prior to that, he led Submarine Forces, Submarine Force Atlantic, and Allied Submarine Command. Over the course of his career, Caudle has also commanded three attack submarines: USS Jefferson City, USS Helena, and USS Topeka.
During his confirmation hearing, Caudle identified several major challenges confronting the Navy, including the growing threat posed by drones and multi-domain warfare.
He noted that one of his objectives is to develop weapons that are “modular, scalable, and built for rapid upgrade cycles to stay ahead of emerging threats.”
He also emphasized strengthening the force through advanced training, leadership development, and talent management.
