NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – A well-known face in Hampton Roads–and on WAVY 10– is now looking at a big promotion! Admiral Daryl Caudle is currently Commander of the U.S. Fleet forces command. It was announced this week President Donald Trump has tapped him to be the next Chief of Naval Operations.
Caudle is no stranger to leadership roles. As CNO, he will oversee the general readiness of the Navy for war and its general direction.
A native of Winston Salem, Admiral Caudle graduated magna cum laude from North Carolina State University with a B.S. in chemical engineering. He also holds at least three advanced academic degrees, including an M.S. in engineering management from Old Dominion University in Norfolk. His dissertation centers on military decision-making uncertainty while considering the use of force in cyberspace. We recently asked him about the current state of the U.S. Navy.“I think our Navy’s very ready. I think it’s obvious by our presence worldwide, what we’re doing in the Red Sea. And what we’re doing in the western Pacific and North Atlantic. You name it-we’re there. Do I have enough ships? I’ll always say no to that! Always need a Navy that’s right sized to do the things that are needed. So, I think we could be bigger,” Admiral Caudle said during an interview in March.Caudle came up through the submarine service, having commanded the Naval Submarine Forces—responsible for their strategic vision. We asked him about the U.S.’ role in the AUKUS agreement—a partnership between Australia, the U.K. and U.S. to sell nuclear-powered submarines to Australia to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific region in the face of a possible Chinese threat.“I’ve served personally with Australian sailors on our submarines. People don’t know they already serve on U.S. submarines. So, to have these two pillars share technology and eventually have submarines operating in, perhaps even built in Australia is the exact right thing to do.”The Chief of Naval Operations is appointed by the president and lasts four years. A requirement is having significant experience in joint duty assignments including a full tour of duty as a flag officer. Caudle has had several, including Deputy Chief for Security Cooperation, where he directly supported coalition forces for Operation Enduring Freedom; and commander of Submarine Group Eight, where he directed combat strikes during Operation Inherent Resolve, or the war against the Islamic State.As CNO, he will be a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, advising the president, the National Security Council or the Secretary of Defense. He reports directly to the Secretary of the Navy…