By wr_root 
February 22, 2025 — The Pentagon announced on Friday night that President Donald Trump has relieved Admiral Lisa Franchetti of her duties as Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), marking a significant leadership shakeup in the U.S. Navy. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the administration is now soliciting nominations for her replacement1,4.
Franchetti also created a new “robotics warfare specialist” general rating.
Key Developments:
1. Leadership Changes and Rationale
- Franchetti’s Dismissal: Franchetti, the first woman to serve on the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), was appointed by President Joe Biden in November 2023 after Senate confirmation1. Her removal aligns with a broader Trump administration effort to replace military leaders perceived as tied to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives1,4.
- Interim Leadership: Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. James Kilby will assume CNO duties until a permanent successor is confirmed1.
- Other Replacements: Trump also announced the replacement of Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Charles “CQ” Brown with retired Lt. Gen. Dan Caine and requested nominations for the Air Force Vice Chief of Staff and Judge Advocates General across military branches1,4.
2. Franchetti’s Legacy and Modernization Efforts
- Project 33: As CNO, Franchetti spearheaded Project 33, a September 2024 initiative to accelerate unmanned systems, AI, and “information dominance” capabilities by 2027 to counter Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific4,5. This included establishing a “robotics warfare specialist” rating to enhance autonomous system operations4.
- Operational Reforms: Her tenure emphasized hybrid warfare integration, including expanded use of unmanned platforms in carrier strike groups and fleet certifications4,5.
- Career Highlights: Prior to becoming CNO, Franchetti held key roles such as Vice Chief of Naval Operations, commander of U.S. 6th Fleet, and director of Joint Staff strategy1,4.
3. Political and Strategic Implications
- Shift in Military Priorities: Secretary Hegseth stated the administration seeks leadership focused on “deterring, fighting, and winning wars,” signaling a departure from DEI-aligned policies1,4.
- Reactions to Franchetti’s Tenure: While Franchetti did not publicly comment on her dismissal, her 2023 remarks highlighted her focus on breaking gender barriers: “If you can see it, you can be it”1.
Contextual Analysis:
- Unprecedented Mid-Tenure Removal: Joint Chiefs typically serve four-year terms, making Franchetti’s dismissal rare and politically charged1,4.
- Broader Military Overhaul: The move reflects Trump’s broader strategy to reshape Pentagon leadership, as seen in his 2024 nominations of figures like Pete Hegseth (Defense Secretary) and Marco Rubio (Secretary of State)1,2.
“Under President Trump, we are putting in place new leadership that will focus our military on its core mission.”
—Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth1
Ongoing Questions:
- Nominee Criteria: The administration has not clarified specific qualifications for the next CNO, though Project 33’s emphasis on unmanned systems and AI suggests technical expertise may be prioritized4,5.
- Impact on Naval Strategy: Franchetti’s dismissal raises concerns about continuity for initiatives like the Naval Analysis Master Plan (NAMP), which relies on wargaming and robotics integration5,6.
For further details, refer to the original sources: 1,2,4,5,6.
References:
1: Trump administration personnel changes and DEI-linked dismissals (2024–2025).
2: Trump’s 2024 cabinet nominations, including Pete Hegseth and Marco Rubio.
3: Franchetti’s Project 33 and robotics warfare initiatives (2024).
4: Naval wargaming and analysis under Franchetti (2024).
5: Joint C4ISR integration efforts involving NIWC Atlantic (2024).
