Trump nominates next Navy chief

President Trump has nominated the current vice chief of the Navy to be the service’s top officer, the Navy announced Thursday.

If confirmed, Adm. Bill Moran would take over for Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson, who is expected to retire this summer after the change of command.

{mosads}“I’m honored and deeply humbled by the nomination and look forward to working with Congress during the confirmation process,” Moran said in a statement.

Richardson said in a statement he is “thrilled with this announcement.”

“He has been central to the Navy adopting a fighting stance in this great power competition,” Richardson said. “As I turn over and go ashore, I will rest easy knowing that, pending confirmation, Adm. Moran has the watch.”

Moran has been the vice chief of naval operations since May 2016. Prior to serving in that role, he was the chief of naval personnel.

Moran is one of several recent nominations of high-ranking officers as the Joint Chiefs of Staff turn over as part of regular rotations. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley and Strategic Command commander Gen. John Hyten were nominated this week to the chairman and vice chairman, respectively, of the Joint Chiefs.

The Pentagon also previously announced the nominations of Lt. Gen. David Berger to be the next Marine Corps commandant and Gen. James McConville to be the next Army chief of staff.