NORFOLK, Va. — Kenneth Braithwaite is now officially the 77th Secretary of the Navy. He will be the fourth person to hold that position, including two acting secretaries, since last November.
The retired rear admiral and current U.S. ambassador to Norway was confirmed by voice vote in the U.S. Senate.
Braithwaite replaces acting secretary James McPherson, who replaced acting secretary Thomas Modly, who replaced former Secretary Richard Spencer, who was forced out.
During his confirmation hearing, Braithwaite acknowledged the Navy is currently in "rough waters."
Retired rear admiral Craig Quigley says he knows his fellow Naval Academy graduate Braithwaite "quite well" and says he may be just what the Navy needs right now.
"First and foremost, leadership, the man knows how to lead," said Quigley. "He has a strong ethical compass, and he has a sense of where he wants to take the Navy and Marine Corps in the time ahead."
Virginia Senator Mark Warner said: "The U.S. Navy needs steady and strong leadership following months of turmoil."
And fellow Virginia Senator Tim Kaine said, "Ambassador Braithwaite's experiences as a Naval officer, diplomat, and business leader give him the right tools to lead the Department in these difficult times."