WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate has confirmed Adm. Bill Moran to become the 32nd chief of naval operations (CNO).
The chief of naval personnel, Vice Adm. Robert Burke, also was confirmed for promotion to admiral and appointment as the next vice chief of naval operations (VCNO), the Office of the Navy Chief of Information said in a release.
“I am deeply humbled and honored to be given the opportunity to continue to serve as our Navy’s next chief of naval operations,” Moran said in a statement released after his confirmation May 24.
“I am deeply humbled and honored to be given the opportunity to continue to serve as our Navy’s next chief of naval operations.”
Incoming CNO Adm. Bill Moran
“[CNO] Adm. [John] Richardson and his wife, Dana, are an amazing team that has consistently advocated on behalf of our Sailors and their families. My wife, Patricia, and I are grateful for their service to our Navy and our nation. I look forward to the honor of leading the men and women of the world’s greatest Navy in service to our nation.”
Acting Defense Secretary Patrick M. Shanahan announced President Donald J. Trump’s nomination of Moran and Burke on April 11.
Moran will be the first naval aviator to become the Navy’s top officer since Adm. Jay L. Johnson, who served as CNO from 1996 to 2000. In the years since, three surface warfare officers and two submariners have served as CNO, according to another Navy press release.
Moran, a native of Newburg, New York, also would be the first CNO since Adm. Thomas H. Moorer, who served from 1967 to 1970, to have been a patrol plane pilot. Moorer flew PBY Catalina aircraft in World War II. Moran is a P-3 Orion pilot.
At the time of Moran’s nomination, Richardson said that Moran “is an amazing leader and good friend. He has been central to the Navy adopting a fighting stance in this ‘Great Power Competition.’ As I turn over and go ashore, I will rest easy knowing that, pending confirmation, Adm. Moran has the watch.”
Moran served in Patrol Squadron 44 (VP-44) in Brunswick, Maine, and twice as an instructor pilot in VP-30 in Jacksonville, Florida. He commanded VP-46 and later Patrol Reconnaissance Wing Two in Hawaii. He also served on the staff of commander, Carrier Group 6, aboard USS Forrestal (CVA-59).
As a flag officer, he has served as commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Group; director, Air Warfare (N98) on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations; and most recently as the 57th chief of naval personnel, according to his official biography. Ashore, he served as executive assistant to the chief of naval operations; executive assistant to Commander, U.S. Pacific Command; deputy director, Navy staff; and assistant Washington placement officer and assistant flag officer detailer in the Bureau of Naval Personnel.
Moran graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1981 and a master’s from the National War College in 2006.
Burke is a nuclear submariner who has served onboard USS Von Steuben (SSBN-632), USS Maryland (SSBN-738) and USS Bremerton (SSN-698), according to his official biography.
He commanded USS Hampton (SSN-767) and later became commodore of Submarine Development Squadron 12. Burke was recognized by the United States Submarine League with the Jack Darby Award for Leadership in 2004 and the Vice Admiral James Bond Stockdale Award for Inspirational Leadership in 2005.
His staff assignments include tours as an instructor and director for the Electrical Engineering Division at Naval Nuclear Power School; junior board member on the Pacific Fleet Nuclear Propulsion Examining Board; submarine officer community manager/nuclear officer program manager; senior Tactical Readiness Evaluation Team member at Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet; the deputy director for Operations, Strategy and Policy Directorate (J5) at U.S. Joint Forces Command; division director, Submarine/Nuclear Power Distribution (PERS-42); and director, Joint and Fleet Operations, N3/N5, U.S. Fleet Forces Command.
Burke’s assignments as a flag officer include deputy commander, U.S. 6th Fleet; director of operations (N3), U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa; commander, Submarine Group 8; and director, Military Personnel Plans and Policy (OPNAV N13). He assumed duties as the Navy’s 58th chief of naval personnel on May 27, 2016. Burke, from Portage, Michigan, holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering from Western Michigan University and the University of Central Florida, respectively.
