The Senate confirmed Vice Adm. Michael Gilday by voice vote Thursday to be the next chief of naval operations, Stripes.com reported.
Gilday was confirmed one day after his Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing and just before upper chamber prepares to adjourn for its August recess.
His confirmation makes him the Navy’s most senior leader and he will also become a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, where he has served as director since March. He will also receive his fourth star and a promotion to full admiral.
Current CNO Adm. John Richardson is scheduled to retire later this summer after 37 years of service, allowing the Navy to avoid a gap in its top leadership. He has been serving in that position since September 2015.
A native of Lowell, Mass., Gilday is the son of a career sailor and has served as a surface warfare officer since graduating from the Naval Academy in 1985, according to his service biography.
Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Taylor DiMartino
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