Vice Adm. Michael Gilday has received formal White House support for promotion to full admiral and to become the next Chief of Naval Operations, DOD announced Thursday.
Gilday’s formal CNO nomination, if confirmed by the Senate, would also award him his fourth star and would appoint him as the Navy’s 32nd CNO, replacing Adm. John Richardson who has served in the post since May 2015.
Richardson’s replacement had previously been expected to be Adm. Bill Moran (Ret.), but in June Moran abruptly declined the appointment and resigned after scrutiny regarding a past professional relationship.
Gilday, a 1985 Naval Academy graduate, has served on destroyers including as commander of the USS Higgins and USS Benfold, according to his Navy biography. Gilday also commanded Destroyer Squadron 7 while serving as sea combat commander for the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group.
Gilday has also served in other senior Joint Staff positions including as the director of operations for NATO’s Joint Force Command Lisbon and U.S. Cyber Command.
Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Samuel Souvannason
Snap of the Week
Naval Academy plebes climb the Herndon Monument, a tradition symbolizing the successful completion of the midshipmen’s freshman year. The class of 2027 completed the climb in 2 hours, 19 minutes and 11 seconds. Navy photo by Stacy Godfrey
