Moran Confirmed as 32nd Chief of Naval Operations

Incoming Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Bill Moran, confirmed May 24, meets people the next day in New York in Times Square during Navy Recruiting Command’s Swarm New York evolution in conjunction with Fleet Week New York 2019. U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kyle Hafer

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.

Vice Adm. Robert P. Burke, the incoming VCNO, speaks during a change-of-command ceremony in August at Recruit Training Command on Naval Station Great Lakes. Burke is nuclear submariner. U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Amanda S. Kitchner

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.