Ranking Member Courtney Statement on CNO Change of Command

Washington— Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-2), Ranking Member of the House Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, released the following statement on today’s change of command ceremony for the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO):

“The nation is fortunate to see Admiral John Richardson take charge of our Navy today. Admiral Richardson’s experience and training make him uniquely qualified to take the helm of the Navy at a critical time for the service and our nation. He is smart, compelling, and receptive—qualities he shares with his predecessor Admiral Jonathan Greenert, who has done a spectacular job over the last four years. Admiral Greenert’s steady focus on warfighting first, operating forward, and readiness leaves the Navy in a stronger posture than when he started his tenure as CNO. I wish him fair winds and following seas in his retirement.

“Admiral Richardson faces a complex set of challenges in his new position, from addressing the Navy’s investment and modernization priorities within an uncertain budget climate to making the right decisions today to meet our force structure and capability needs in the future. Looming largest, though, is need to advance the Navy’s and the Defense Department’s number one priority: recapitalization of the next class of ballistic missile submarines. Meeting this multigenerational commitment will require thoughtful and creative solutions to resource this strategic asset while also preserving other critical naval priorities, and I look forward to Admiral Richardson's active and constructive dialogue with our panel on this important topic.”

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