# Lisa Franchetti

Lisa Marie Franchetti (/fræn.kˈɛti/ fran-KEH-ti; born 25 April 1964) is a United States Navy admiral who served as the 33rd chief of naval operations from 2 November 2023 to 21 February 2025. She was the first woman to be chief of naval operations, and the first woman to serve on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Before this she most recently served as the 42nd vice chief of naval operations from September 2022 to November 2023 and as acting chief of naval operations (CNO) from August to November 2023.
A surface warfare officer, Franchetti previously served as director for strategy, plans, and policy of the Joint Staff (J5) from 2020 to 2022, the second deputy chief of naval operations for warfighting development in 2020, and commander of the United States Sixth Fleet from 2018 to 2020. She has also commanded carrier strike groups and U.S. Naval Forces Korea during her career. She was the second woman promoted to four-star admiral in the United States Navy. She was also the second female Vice Chief of Naval Operations in the history of the navy.

## Early life

Franchetti, who is of Italian heritage, was born on 25 April 1964, in Rochester, New York. She attended Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism in Evanston, Illinois. While at Northwestern, she was a coxswain on the crew and joined the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Program. She was commissioned in 1985.

## Further education

Franchetti has a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Medill at Northwestern University (1985), a Master of Arts in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, and a master's degree in organizational management from the University of Phoenix.

## Navy career

Franchetti's operational assignments have included auxiliaries officer and first division officer in USS Shenandoah (AD-44), navigator and jumboization coordinator in USS Monongahela (AO-178), operations officer in USS Moosbrugger (DD-980), combat systems officer and chief staff officer for Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 2, executive officer of USS Stout (DDG-55), and assistant surface operations officer on the USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group staff. She commanded USS Ross (DDG-71) and Destroyer Squadron 21, embarked in USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74). She also served as commander of Pacific Partnership 2010, embarked in USNS Mercy (T-AH-19).
Ashore, she has been assigned as commander of United States Naval Reserve Center Central Point, Oregon; aide to the Vice Chief of Naval Operations; protocol officer for the commander of United States Atlantic Fleet; 4th Battalion officer at the United States Naval Academy; division chief of Joint Concept Development and Experimentation on the Joint Staff, J7; deputy director of International Engagement and executive assistant to N3/N5 on the Navy staff; and military assistant to the Secretary of the Navy.
Since promotion to flag rank, Franchetti has held appointments as commander of United States Naval Forces Korea; commander Carrier Strike Group 9; commander of Carrier Strike Group 15; chief of staff, Joint Staff, J-5, Strategy, Plans and Policy; commander of United States Sixth Fleet, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO; deputy commander, United States Naval Forces Europe; deputy commander of United States Naval Forces Africa; and joint force maritime component commander
During her time as commander of the U.S. Sixth Fleet, based in Italy, Franchetti oversaw the first-ever use of Tomahawk missiles launched by a Virginia-class submarine. The missiles were fired from USS John Warner at targets in Syria.
On 6 May 2020, Franchetti was nominated as deputy chief of naval operations for Warfighting development (OPNAV N7), while keeping her other roles.
In April 2022, Franchetti was nominated for promotion to admiral and appointment as Vice Chief of Naval Operations. The Senate confirmed her promotion in May 2022. She assumed the position on 2 September 2022.
On 21 July 2023, President Biden nominated her to replace Michael M. Gilday as chief of naval operations (CNO). On August 14, 2023, upon Gilday's retirement, Franchetti became acting CNO.
Franchetti was confirmed by the Senate to become the CNO on 2 November 2023, and was sworn in on the same day, becoming the first female CNO and, due to having that position, the first woman on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
In February 2025, Franchetti faced an uncertain future as reports circulated that she would be removed from her position as the 33rd Chief of Naval Operations by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
On 21 February 2025, she was officially relieved of her position by Secretary of Defense Hegseth.

## Personal life

Franchetti is married to James Sievert and has one daughter. She enjoys running for relaxation and exercise.
In June 2024, after a routine mammogram screening, the 60-year-old admiral was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. When she underwent outpatient surgery in July 2024, she temporarily transferred her authority to the vice chief of naval operations, Adm. James Kilby. She completed radiation therapy and in September 2024 began maintenance endocrine therapy.
"I am grateful for my wonderful team of doctors at John P. Murtha Cancer Center for their excellent care and their development of a treatment plan that allows me to continue leading the world's greatest Navy", Franchetti said in a statement. "I am blessed that this was detected early and will forever be an advocate for early and routine screening".

## Awards and decorations

Joint Chiefs of Staff Badge :
| Surface Warfare Officer Pin |||
| Defense Distinguished Service Medal | Navy Distinguished Service Medal | Defense Superior Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster |
| Legion of Merit with four gold award stars | Meritorious Service Medal with silver award star | Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with three award stars |
| Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with award star | Joint Meritorious Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters | Navy Unit Commendation |
| Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation with three bronze service star | Navy E Ribbon with three Battle E devices | National Defense Service Medal with service star |
| Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal | Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal | Global War on Terrorism Service Medal |
| Korea Defense Service Medal | Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with two service stars | Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon |
| Special Operations Service Ribbon | Order of National Security Merit, Cheonsu Medal (Republic of Korea) | Navy Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon |
| Command at Sea insignia |||