Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates announced June 16, he has recommended Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert, vice chief of naval operations, to succeed the retiring Adm. Gary Roughead as the next chief of naval operations.Assuming no embarrassing Halfway Night or WestPac liberty photos show up, ADM Greenert should be a cinch for confirmation. He'll be the first Submariner to be CNO since ADM Frank Kelso retired in 1994.
Gates said he made the recommendation to President Barack Obama based on Greenert's solid portfolio that includes both significant personnel programs and budget responsibilities.
Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Greenert is "an exceptional officer, and if confirmed, will be, I believe, an exceptional CNO."
"He has wonderful operational experience, fleet experience, he's terrific with people and he has extensive experience in the money world, which is now facing all of us," Mullen said. "So I strongly concur with the secretary's recommendation."
Gates praised Roughead, who will retire this fall, for four decades of service and leadership at the helm of the Navy for the past four years.
"I have very much enjoyed working with Gary and have greatly valued his counsel and wisdom on both Navy issues and broader strategic issues," Gates said.
Upon being notified of the news, Roughead offered his congratulations and endorsement.
"I could not be more pleased that Adm. Jon Greenert has been nominated to be the 30th Chief of Naval Operations. I have known Jon and his family well for years and I have the utmost respect for him as a leader and a naval officer."
In a statement released after the announcement Greenert said "I am honored and humbled by the Secretary's recommendation and look forward to working with Congress during the confirmation process."
Greenert's career as a submariner includes assignments aboard USS Flying Fish, USS Tautog, Submarine NR-1 and USS Michigan and as commander of USS Honolulu. He also served as commander of Submarine Squadron 11, U.S. Naval Forces Mariana, U.S. 7th Fleet in the Pacific and U.S. Fleet Forces Command before he became the vice CNO.
Update 2230 16 June: According to this story from Navy Times on the CNO recommendation, Submariner VADM Cecil Haney is in line to be the next Pacific Fleet Commander. If that comes to pass, we'll be back up to three 4-star Submariners on active duty.
