Chief of Naval Operations

Chief of Naval Operations
Seal of the Chief of Naval Operations
Flag of the Chief of Naval Operations
Incumbent Admiral James W. Kilby Acting  since 21 February 2025
United States Navy Office of the Chief of Naval Operations
Abbreviation	CNO
Member of	Joint Chiefs of Staff
Reports to	Secretary of the Navy
Residence	Tingey House
Appointer	The President with Senate advice and consent
Term length	4 years Renewable one time, only during war or national emergency
Constituting instrument	10 U.S.C. § 8033
Precursor	Aide for Naval Operations
Formation	11 May 1915
First holder	ADM William S. Benson
Deputy	Vice Chief of Naval Operations
Website	www.navy.mil

The chief of naval operations (CNO) is the highest-ranking officer of the United States Navy. The position is a statutory office (10 U.S.C. § 8033) held by an admiral who is a military adviser and deputy to the secretary of the Navy. The CNO is also a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (10 U.S.C. § 151) and in this capacity, a military adviser to the National Security Council, the Homeland Security Council, the secretary of defense, and the president.

Despite the title, the CNO does not have operational command authority over naval forces. The CNO is an administrative position based in the Pentagon, and exercises supervision of Navy organizations as the designee of the secretary of the Navy. Operational command of naval forces falls within the purview of the combatant commanders who report to the secretary of defense.

As of 21 February 2025, the acting chief of naval operations is Admiral James W. Kilby.^[1]