Admiral Lisa Franchetti: A Woman of Honor and Achievement in the Navy
In a groundbreaking decision, US President Joe Biden announced on Friday that Admiral Lisa Franchetti will assume the role of Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) in the US Navy, making her the first woman in history to lead the US Navy and serve on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Admiral Lisa Franchetti hails from Rochester, New York, and was commissioned into the US Navy in 1985 through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Program at Northwestern University. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from the university and later attended the Naval War College. She also earned a master’s degree in organizational management from the University of Phoenix, according to her biography on the US Department of Defense.
Throughout her illustrious 38-year career, she has served in various key roles, including first division officer on USS Shenandoah (AD 44), navigator and jumboisation coordinator on USS Monongahela (AO 178), operations officer on USS Moosbrugger (DD 980), and combat systems officer and chief staff officer for Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 2, among others.
Admiral Franchetti has held numerous leadership positions, such as commanding USS Ross (DDG 71) and DESRON-21, and she was the commander of Pacific Partnership 2010, embarked on USNS Mercy (T-AH 19).
Her flag assignments encompassed various significant roles, including commander of US Naval Forces Korea, Carrier Strike Group 9, and Carrier Strike Group 15. She also served as chief of staff for Strategy, Plans, and Policy (J-5) at the Joint Staff and commander of US 6th Fleet and Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO.
Throughout her career, Admiral Franchetti has earned numerous accolades, including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal (two awards), Legion of Merit (five awards), Meritorious Service Medal (five awards), and Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), among others.
She is married to James Sievert, a Naval Academy graduate, swimmer, and runner, and they have a daughter named Isabel. With her extensive experience and remarkable achievements, Admiral Lisa Franchetti is set to lead the US Navy in a historic and transformative direction.
