Acting Secretary of Defense Richard has announced the new Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) of U.S. Navy.
Navy Vice Adm. Michael M. Gilday for appointment to the grade of admiral, and assignment as chief of naval operations, Washington, District of Columbia. Gilday is currently serving as director of the Joint Staff, Washington, District of Columbia.
Vice Adm. Mike Gilday is the son of a Navy Sailor and a surface warfare officer. He is a native of Lowell, Massachusetts and a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. He holds master degrees from the Harvard Kennedy School and the National War College.
At sea, he deployed with USS Chandler (DDG 996), USS Princeton (CG 59), and USS Gettysburg (CG 64). He commanded the destroyers USS Higgins (DDG 76) and USS Benfold (DDG 65) and subsequently, commanded Destroyer Squadron 7, serving as sea combat commander for the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group.
As a flag officer, he served as commander Carrier Strike Group 8 embarked aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, and as commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command and U.S 10th Fleet.
His staff assignments include the Bureau of Naval Personnel, the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations, and the staff of the Vice Chief of Naval Operations. Joint assignments include executive assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and naval aide to the President.
As a flag officer, he served in joint positions as director of operations for NATO’s Joint Force Command Lisbon; as chief of staff for Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO; director of operations, J3, for U.S. Cyber Command; and as director of operations, J3, for the Joint Staff. Currently, he is serving as director, Joint Staff.
He has served on teams that have been recognized with numerous awards and is the recipient of the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal (four awards), Legion of Merit (three awards), Bronze Star, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat “V”, and the Combat Action Ribbon.
