Who holds the position of Chief of Naval Operations?

The position of Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) is held by a senior officer in the United States Navy and is responsible for the command, utilization of resources, and operating efficiency of the Navy. During the period of relevance, Jonathan Greenert served as the CNO from 2011 to 2015. This role is crucial as it involves advising the President and Secretary of the Navy on naval force requirements and strategic issues, as well as the overall readiness of the Navy.

Mike Stevens, who served after Greenert, was the CNO from 2015 to 2019. Ray Mabus and Chuck Hagel were not Navy officers; Mabus was the Secretary of the Navy, and Hagel served as the Secretary of Defense. Thus, they were involved in leadership, but not in the military command role of CNO. The significance of the CNO position underscores the leadership structure within the Navy, and Jonathan Greenert's tenure shaped many operational policies impacting naval strategy during his time in that role.