Non-Veteran John Phelan Takes Helm as Navy Secretary, Pledging Change

On Monday, the U.S. Senate confirmed John Phelan as the next secretary of the Navy, marking him as one of the rare civilians without military experience to assume this role in recent decades. Phelan, the founder of the private investment firm Rugger Management LLC, received approval in a 62-30 vote, with the majority of support coming from Republicans. He is anticipated to take the oath of office in just a few days.

Phelan's appointment arrives at a time when the Navy is confronting significant challenges, such as extended deployments, budget excesses, and unprecedented suicide rates among sailors. In his confirmation hearing, he characterized the service as being in crisis and committed to advocating for extensive reforms.

"The U.S. Navy stands at a pivotal moment," Phelan informed the senators. Years of poor management and inefficiency have resulted in crumbling infrastructure, insufficient maintenance, and an overextended workforce. This is not acceptable.

Phelan contended that his outsider viewpoint would enable him to introduce innovative ideas to the position. “I don’t have to be a veteran to address the issues within the Navy,” he stated. "I am committed to taking decisive action, eliminating unnecessary red tape, and ensuring our sailors have everything they require to thrive."

His confirmation comes after Daniel Driscoll's approval as Army secretary and ahead of a hearing for Trump’s nominee for Air Force secretary, Troy Meink. Phelan will collaborate with Hung Cao, a former Navy special operations officer who recently took the oath as undersecretary of the Navy.

The leadership of the Navy has experienced significant changes since the dismissal of Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti last month. This move was part of a Pentagon shake-up during the Trump administration. Phelan’s capacity to enact his proposed reforms is yet to be determined, but his appointment indicates a change in leadership focus.

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