The first woman to lead the Navy faced a historic blockade

History · Published 20 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Lisa Franchetti’s path to becoming the first woman to lead the U.S. Navy was nearly halted by a 10-month legislative blockade. Her career serves as a study in institutional evolution, from a time when women were barred from combat ships to the highest levels of joint military command.

Franchetti's ascent began in 1985, a period when women were strictly prohibited from serving in combat positions. During her early years, opportunities for female officers were extremely limited; fewer than 20 women were permitted to serve on Navy vessels annually. She initially struggled with a purely administrative shore posting, nearly leaving the service before being encouraged to qualify as an engineering officer. Her career trajectory shifted significantly in 1993, when Congress repealed the laws barring women from combat ships and aircraft. Her rise was characterized by high-stakes operational roles, including commanding the destroyer USS Ross in 2003 and leading the U.S. Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean. She managed major combat operations, including the initial deployment of Virginia-class submarine Tomahawk missiles toward Syrian objectives.

She also served in strategic capacities, advising on the Afghanistan and Russia-Ukraine Wars and leading humanitarian missions like Operation Pacific Partnership in 2010. Despite her decades of experience, her confirmation as the 33rd chief of naval operations in November 2023 was delayed for 10 months by a systematic blockade from Senator Tommy Tuberville. This move was intended to pressure the Pentagon over abortion reimbursement policies. Franchetti was eventually confirmed but served less than a year before being dismissed in February 2025. Her removal was part of a broader purge of Pentagon leadership by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who specifically criticized her appointment as a victory for 'social justice ideologues' rather than a recognition of her command history.

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