Vice Chief of Naval Operations

Vice Chief of Naval Operations. The Vice Chief of Naval Operations (VCNO) is the second-highest-ranking officer in the United States Navy and serves as the principal deputy to the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO). The position was established in 1942 to assist the CNO in managing the vast expansion of the Navy during World War II. The VCNO is a four-star admiral and, alongside the CNO, is a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and advises the Secretary of the Navy, the Secretary of Defense, and the President of the United States.

History

The office was formally created on March 12, 1942, with the appointment of Vice Admiral Frederick J. Horne by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. This was a direct response to the immense administrative and operational demands placed on the Chief of Naval Operations following the attack on Pearl Harbor and the U.S. entry into World War II. The role was initially seen as a temporary wartime measure but was made permanent by an Act of Congress in 1947, the same year the National Security Act of 1947 established the modern United States Department of Defense. Throughout the Cold War, the VCNO played a critical role in managing the Navy's transition to a nuclear-powered and ballistic missile submarine force, as well as during major conflicts like the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

Appointment and succession

The Vice Chief of Naval Operations is appointed by the President of the United States and must be confirmed by the United States Senate. By statute, the appointee must be a commissioned admiral who has served at least one year in the grade of vice admiral or higher. The term of service is typically four years, concurrent with the CNO's term, but the officer serves at the pleasure of the President. In the event the Chief of Naval Operations is absent, disabled, or the office is vacant, the VCNO assumes the duties and powers of the CNO. This line of succession is codified in U.S. Code Title 10.

Responsibilities

The VCNO's primary duty is to assist the Chief of Naval Operations in executing the responsibilities of the office, which include the command, utilization, and administration of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps operating forces. The VCNO typically oversees the Navy's day-to-day internal administration, including budgeting, personnel, and readiness, allowing the CNO to focus on broader strategic and joint matters. Key areas of oversight often include the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, the United States Fleet Forces Command, and coordination with the United States Naval Academy and Naval War College. The VCNO also frequently represents the Navy before congressional committees like the House Armed Services Committee.

List of Vice Chiefs of Naval Operations

Since its inception, over 40 officers have served as Vice Chief of Naval Operations. The first was Frederick J. Horne (1942–1945). Notable holders of the office include James L. Holloway III (1973–1974), who later became Chief of Naval Operations; William J. Crowe (1983–1985), who later served as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and Michelle J. Howard (2014–2016), the first woman and the first African-American to hold the post. The current VCNO is Admiral James W. Kilby, who assumed the role in 2023.

See also

* Chief of Naval Operations * Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy * United States Secretary of the Navy * Joint Chiefs of Staff * Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff * United States Navy staff corps * List of senior officers of the United States Navy

Category:United States Navy admirals Category:Military positions of the United States Category:1942 establishments in the United States