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U.S. Senate Confirms Next Chief of Naval Operations

Adm. Daryl Caudle enters the role after serving as the commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command since December 2021.

Adm. Daryl Caudle, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, delivers remarks during a reenlistment and promotion ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial, May 23, during Fleet Week New York 2025. Credit: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kalvin Kes

The U.S. Senate has confirmed Adm. Daryl Caudle as the U.S. Navy’s 34th chief of naval operations. He was initially nominated by President Donald Trump on June 18 and was officially confirmed Thursday night.

Adm. Lisa Franchetti was the last person to hold the position of chief of naval operations, serving from November 2023 to February 2025. Adm. James Kilby, the Navy’s vice chief, served as acting chief of naval operations since Franchetti was removed by President Trump.

Caudle appeared before the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services on July 24, as the committee considered his nomination.

“I will relentlessly pursue full-spectrum readiness, modernizing our fleet’s capabilities, scaling readiness capacity and aggressively forging our resilient and resourceful sailors who bring all our combat power to life,” Caudle said in his opening remarks. “I also plan to deepen integration across all domains—from sea, air, cyber, space and the undersea like never before, massing effects from multiple vectors, platforms and environments, seamlessly integrating these effects with the Joint Force and with our allies and partners.”

In his advance policy questions, Caudle said his main goals for transforming the Navy to meet emerging threats is investing in scalable and modular weapons systems, prioritizing training and leadership development for sailors, and accelerating the delivery of integrated capabilities across the joint force, including unmanned systems and artificial intelligence.

Caudle has served as the commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command since December 2021, leading the U.S. Fleet Forces Command, U.S. Naval Forces Northern Command, U.S. Naval Forces Strategic Command and U.S. Strategic Command Joint Force Maritime Component. Prior to that assignment, Caudle served as the commander of Submarine Force Atlantic and Allied Submarine Command, and he has numerous sea tours and flag assignments under his belt.

According to his Navy biography, Caudle is a Winston-Salem, North Carolina, native, who has a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from North Carolina State University and master’s degrees in physics and engineering management, from the Naval Postgraduate School and Old Dominion University, respectively.

Caudle also holds a doctoral degree in organizational leadership from the University of Phoenix. According to his Navy biography, his doctoral dissertation explored military decision-making uncertainty regarding the use of force in cyberspace.

Throughout his career, Caudle has also earned several service medals, awards and decorations, including the Joint Meritorious Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters and the Navy Distinguished Service Medal.