President-elect Donald Trump has chosen businessman and investor John Phelan, who has no military experience, to become the next Secretary of the Navy. If confirmed, Phelan would be the first person in 15 years to lead the Navy without prior military service. Trump praised Phelan’s record of success and leadership qualities, stating that he will be a tremendous force for Naval Servicemembers. Phelan, a Harvard Business School graduate, currently leads a private investment firm in Florida.
Phelan would oversee the Navy’s more than 900,000 personnel and an annual budget exceeding $210 billion. The last eight Navy secretaries since 2009 all had a military background. Trump has also announced the nomination of combat veteran Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense, further highlighting Phelan’s lack of military experience.
Trump’s decision has sparked debate over the importance of having veterans in top military leadership positions. Phelan will be replacing Carlos Del Toro, who served in the Navy for over 20 years. Trump has vowed to take immediate action on various issues upon taking office. This move represents a shift from tradition, as 20 out of 26 confirmed Navy secretaries in the past 70 years have been veterans. It remains to be seen how Phelan’s appointment will shape the future direction of the U.S. Navy under the Trump administration.
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