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Secretary of the Navy
Flag of the United States Secretary of the Navy.svg
Flag of the secretary
United States Department of the Navy Seal.svg
Seal of the Department of the Navy
Terence G. Emmert.jpg
Incumbent
Terence G. Emmert

since 20 January 2025
Department of the Navy
Style Mister Secretary
The Honorable (formally)
Abbreviation SECNAV
Reports to Secretary of Defense
Deputy Secretary of Defense
Appointer The President,
with Senate advice and consent
Constituting instrument 10 U.S.C. § 8013
Formation 18 June 1798; 227 years ago (18 June 1798)
First holder Benjamin Stoddert
Succession 3rd in SecDef succession
Deputy The Under Secretary
(Principal Civilian Deputy)
Chief of Naval Operations
(Navy Advisor and Deputy)
The Commandant
(Marine Corps Advisor and Deputy)
Salary Executive Schedule, level II

The Secretary of the Navy (often called SECNAV) is a very important leader in the United States Department of the Navy. This department is a part of the United States Department of Defense. The SECNAV is like the chief executive officer for the Navy.

By law, the person who holds this job must be a civilian. This means they cannot be an active military member. They must have been out of active military service for at least five years. The President chooses the Secretary of the Navy. Then, the Senate must approve this choice.

From 1798 until 1949, the Secretary of the Navy was a member of the President's top team, called the Cabinet. After 1949, the role changed. The Secretary of the Navy, along with the Secretaries of the Army and Air Force, began reporting to the Secretary of Defense.

On August 7, 2021, Carlos Del Toro became the Secretary of the Navy.

What Does the Secretary of the Navy Do?

The Department of the Navy includes two main military branches: the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps. The Secretary of the Navy is in charge of both. They have the power to "conduct all the affairs of the Department of the Navy." This means they oversee almost everything the Navy and Marine Corps do.

The SECNAV's job includes many important tasks. They are responsible for finding new recruits and organizing the forces. They also make sure the Navy and Marine Corps have all the supplies and equipment they need. Training, mobilizing (getting ready for action), and demobilizing (standing down) are also their responsibilities.

The Secretary also watches over the building and repair of naval ships and facilities. They create and carry out plans that match the country's security goals. These goals are set by the President or the Secretary of Defense.

The SECNAV is part of the Defense Acquisition Board. This group helps decide what military equipment to buy. The Secretary also has duties related to military justice. They can approve military court cases and change sentences for Navy and Marine Corps members.

The main military advisors to the SECNAV are the leaders of the Navy and Marine Corps. For the Navy, it's the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO). For the Marine Corps, it's the Commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC). These leaders help the SECNAV carry out orders within their branches.

Navy Rules and Regulations

The United States Navy Regulations are the main rulebook for the Department of the Navy. Any changes to these rules must be approved by the Secretary of the Navy.

Role with the U.S. Coast Guard

Sometimes, the United States Coast Guard works as part of the Department of the Navy. When this happens, the Secretary of the Navy has the same duties for the Coast Guard as the Secretary of Homeland Security normally does.

The Navy Secretariat: SECNAV's Support Team

The Office of the Secretary of the Navy is the team that helps the Secretary do their job. It's also known as the Navy Secretariat. Key people in this office include the Under Secretary of the Navy, who is the Secretary's main civilian helper. There are also Assistant Secretaries, the legal advisor, and the chief lawyer.

Other important roles include the Naval Inspector General, who checks how things are run. The Chief of Legislative Affairs works with Congress. The Chief of Naval Research looks into new technologies. This office is in charge of buying things, checking finances, and handling public and legislative matters for the Navy.

The Secretary of the Navy also recognizes commands each year for their work in protecting the environment. This includes efforts in environmental quality, cleanup, natural resources, and preventing pollution.

The Chief of Naval Operations and the Commandant of the Marine Corps have their own separate teams. These are called the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV) and Headquarters Marine Corps.

Past Secretaries of the Navy

     Denotes acting secretaries

Early Leaders: Continental Congress

Before the official Secretary of the Navy role, there were committees and agents.

Position Portrait Name Term of office
Chairman of the Marine Committee Gilbert Stuart, John Adams, c. 1800-1815, NGA 42933.jpg John Adams October 13, 1775 – 1779
Member of the Marine Committee John langdon.jpg John Langdon October 13, 1775–?
Member of the Marine Committee Silas Deane - Du Simitier and B.L. Prevost.jpg Silas Deane October 13, 1775–?
Member of the Marine Committee Joseph Hewes.png Joseph Hewes 1775
Continental Navy Board
(under Marine Committee)
November 6, 1776 – October 28, 1779
Chairman of the Continental Board of Admiralty Francis Lewis.jpg Francis Lewis December 1779 – 1780
Secretary of Marine AlexanderMcdougall.jpg Alexander McDougall February 7, 1781 – August 29, 1781
Agent of Marine Robert Morris by Charles Willson Peale, c. 1782 (New Orleans Mus of Art 78.2) - wide crop.jpg Robert Morris August 29, 1781 – 1784

(The job of Secretary of Marine was created but stayed empty for a while.)

Secretaries from 1798–1949

     Denotes an Acting United States Secretary of the Navy

No. Portrait Name State Start End President(s)
1 Benjamin Stoddert SecNavy.jpg Stoddert, BenjaminBenjamin Stoddert Maryland June 18, 1798 March 31, 1801 Adams, JohnJohn Adams
(1797–1801)
Jefferson, ThomasThomas Jefferson
(1801–1809)
2 Robert Smith SecNavy.jpg Smith, RobertRobert Smith Maryland July 27, 1801 March 4, 1809
3 Paul Hamilton SecNavy.jpeg Hamilton, PaulPaul Hamilton South Carolina May 15, 1809 December 31, 1812 Madison, JamesJames Madison
(1809–1817)
4 William-Jones.jpg Jones, WilliamWilliam Jones Pennsylvania January 19, 1813 December 1, 1814
5 BWCrowninshield.jpg Crowninshield, BenjaminBenjamin Crowninshield Massachusetts January 16, 1815 September 30, 1818
Monroe, JamesJames Monroe
(1817–1825)
6 SmithThompson.jpg Thompson, SmithSmith Thompson New York January 1, 1819 August 31, 1823
7 Samuel L. Southard SecNavy.jpg Southard, Samuel L.Samuel L. Southard New Jersey September 16, 1823 March 4, 1829
Adams, John QuincyJohn Quincy Adams
(1825–1829)
8 JohnBranch2.jpg Branch, JohnJohn Branch North Carolina March 9, 1829 May 12, 1831 Jackson, AndrewAndrew Jackson
(1829–1837)
9 Levi Woodbury.jpg Woodbury, LeviLevi Woodbury New Hampshire May 23, 1831 June 30, 1834
10 Mahlon Dickerson.jpg Dickerson, MahlonMahlon Dickerson New Jersey July 1, 1834 June 30, 1838
Van Buren, MartinMartin Van Buren
(1837–1841)
11 JKPaulding.jpg Paulding, James K.James K. Paulding New York July 1, 1838 March 4, 1841
12 George Edmund Badger, half-length portrait, facing three-quarters to left (cropped).jpg Badger, George E.George E. Badger North Carolina March 6, 1841 September 11, 1841 Harrison, William HenryWilliam Henry Harrison
(1841)
Tyler, JohnJohn Tyler
(1841–1845)
13 Abel P. Upshur SecNavy.jpg Upshur, Abel P.Abel P. Upshur Virginia October 11, 1841 July 23, 1843
14 David Henshaw SecNavy.jpg Henshaw, DavidDavid Henshaw Massachusetts July 24, 1843 February 18, 1844
15 Thomas Gilmer newer.jpeg Gilmer, Thomas W.Thomas W. Gilmer Virginia February 19, 1844 February 28, 1844
16 JYMason.jpg Mason, John Y.John Y. Mason Virginia March 26, 1844 March 4, 1845
17 George Bancroft United States Secretary of Navy c. 1860.jpg Bancroft, GeorgeGeorge Bancroft Massachusetts March 11, 1845 September 9, 1846 Polk, James K.James K. Polk
(1845–1849)
18 JYMason.jpg Mason, John Y.John Y. Mason Virginia September 10, 1846 March 4, 1849
19 WmBdPreston.jpg Preston, William B.William B. Preston Virginia March 8, 1849 July 22, 1850 Taylor, ZacharyZachary Taylor
(1849–1850)
20 William Alexander Graham - Brady-Handy.jpg Graham, WilliamWilliam Graham North Carolina August 2, 1850 July 25, 1852 Fillmore, MillardMillard Fillmore
(1850–1853)
21 John Pendleton Kennedy Smithosonian 1.jpg Kennedy, John P.John P. Kennedy Maryland July 26, 1852 March 4, 1853
22 James Cochran Dobbin, attributed to John Cranch, c. 1845, oil on canvas, from the National Portrait Gallery - NPG-9300792A.jpg Dobbin, James C.James C. Dobbin North Carolina March 8, 1853 March 4, 1857 Pierce, FranklinFranklin Pierce
(1853–1857)
23 Isaac Toucey - Brady-Handy.jpg Toucey, IsaacIsaac Toucey Connecticut March 7, 1857 March 4, 1861 Buchanan, JamesJames Buchanan
(1857–1861)
24 Gideon Welles cph.3b20114 (3x4a).jpg Welles, GideonGideon Welles Connecticut March 7, 1861 March 4, 1869 Lincoln, AbrahamAbraham Lincoln
(1861–1865)
Johnson, AndrewAndrew Johnson
(1865–1869)
25 Adolph Borie, Brady-Handy bw photo portrait, ca1860-1875.jpg Borie, Adolph E.Adolph E. Borie Pennsylvania March 9, 1869 June 25, 1869 Grant, Ulysses S.Ulysses S. Grant
(1869–1877)
26 George Robeson 1865 1880.jpg Robeson, George M.George M. Robeson New Jersey June 26, 1869 March 4, 1877
Acting William Faxon.jpg Faxon, WilliamWilliam Faxon March 4, 1877 March 13, 1877 Hayes, Rutherford B.Rutherford B. Hayes
(1877–1881)
27 RWThompson.jpg Thompson, Richard W.Richard W. Thompson Indiana March 13, 1877 December 20, 1880
28 Nathan Goff, Jr. - Brady-Handy.jpg Goff Jr., NathanNathan Goff Jr. West Virginia January 7, 1881 March 4, 1881
29 William-Henry-Hunt.jpg Hunt, William H.William H. Hunt Louisiana March 7, 1881 April 16, 1882 Garfield, James A.James A. Garfield
(1881)
Arthur, Chester A.Chester A. Arthur
(1881–1885)
30 Wm Eaton Chandler (1).jpg Chandler, William E.William E. Chandler New Hampshire April 16, 1882 March 4, 1885
31 William Collins Whitney by Charles Milton Bell c1892.jpg Whitney, William C.William C. Whitney New York March 7, 1885 March 4, 1889 Cleveland, GroverGrover Cleveland
(1885–1889)
32 BFTracy.jpg Tracy, Benjamin F.Benjamin F. Tracy New York March 6, 1889 March 4, 1893 Harrison, BenjaminBenjamin Harrison
(1889–1893)
33 Hilary A. Herbert.jpg Herbert, Hilary A.Hilary A. Herbert Alabama March 7, 1893 March 4, 1897 Cleveland, GroverGrover Cleveland
(1893–1897)
34 JDLong.jpg Long, John DavisJohn Davis Long Massachusetts March 6, 1897 April 30, 1902 McKinley, WilliamWilliam McKinley
(1897–1901)
Roosevelt, TheodoreTheodore Roosevelt
(1901–1909)
35 WHMoody.jpg Moody, WilliamWilliam Moody Massachusetts May 1, 1902 June 30, 1904
36 Paul Morton.jpg Morton, PaulPaul Morton Illinois July 1, 1904 June 30, 1905
37 CJBonaparte.jpg Bonaparte, CharlesCharles Bonaparte Maryland July 1, 1905 December 16, 1906
38 Victor H Metcalf 002.jpg Metcalf, Victor H.Victor H. Metcalf California December 17, 1906 November 30, 1908
39 Truman Handy Newberry (cropped).jpg Newberry, Truman HandyTruman Handy Newberry Michigan December 1, 1908 March 4, 1909
40 Portrait of George von Lengerke Meyer.jpg von Lengerke Meyer, GeorgeGeorge von Lengerke Meyer Massachusetts March 6, 1909 March 4, 1913 Taft, William HowardWilliam Howard Taft
(1909–1913)
41 Josephus Daniels 1.jpg Daniels, JosephusJosephus Daniels North Carolina March 5, 1913 March 4, 1921 Wilson, WoodrowWoodrow Wilson
(1913–1921)
42 ECDenby.jpg Denby, EdwinEdwin Denby Michigan March 6, 1921 March 10, 1924 Harding, Warren G.Warren G. Harding
(1921–1923)
Coolidge, CalvinCalvin Coolidge
(1923–1929)
Acting LC-DIG-ggbain-37582.jpg Roosevelt Jr., TheodoreTheodore Roosevelt Jr. March 10, 1924 March 19, 1924
43 Curtis D. Wilbur, (3-24-24) LOC npcc.10863 (cropped).jpg Wilbur, Curtis D.Curtis D. Wilbur California March 19, 1924 March 4, 1929
44 Charles Francis AdamsⅢ.jpg Adams III, Charles FrancisCharles Francis Adams III Massachusetts March 5, 1929 March 4, 1933 Hoover, HerbertHerbert Hoover
(1929–1933)
45 SWANSON, CLAUDE. HONORABLE LCCN2016856629 (3x4a).jpg Swanson, Claude A.Claude A. Swanson Virginia March 4, 1933 July 7, 1939 Roosevelt, Franklin D.Franklin D. Roosevelt
(1933–1945)
46 Charles Edison.jpg Edison, CharlesCharles Edison New Jersey July 7, 1939 January 2, 1940
January 2, 1940 June 24, 1940
Acting Lewis Compton (Assistant Secretary of the Navy).jpg Compton, LewisLewis Compton June 24, 1940 July 11, 1940
47 Fknox.jpg Knox, FrankFrank Knox Illinois July 11, 1940 April 28, 1944
Acting Ralph A. Bard cph.3a40857.jpg Bard, Ralph AustinRalph Austin Bard April 28, 1944 May 19, 1944
48 James Forrestal - SecOfDef.jpg Forrestal, JamesJames Forrestal New York May 19, 1944 September 17, 1947
Truman, Harry S.Harry S. Truman
(1945–1953)
49 John L Sullivan SecofNavy.jpg Sullivan, JohnJohn Sullivan New Hampshire September 18, 1947 May 24, 1949
50 Francis P. Matthews.jpg Matthews, Francis P.Francis P. Matthews Nebraska May 25, 1949 August 10, 1949

Secretaries from 1949–Present

     Denotes an Acting United States Secretary of the Navy

No. Portrait Name Term of office President(s)
Start End Duration
50 Francis P. Matthews.jpg Matthews, Francis P.Francis P. Matthews August 10, 1949 July 31, 1951 797 Truman, Harry S.Harry S. Truman
(1945–1953)
51 DanAKimball.jpg Kimball, Dan A.Dan A. Kimball July 31, 1951 January 20, 1953 539
52 80-G-K-14927 Robert B. Anderson.jpg Anderson, RobertRobert Anderson February 4, 1953 March 3, 1954 392 Eisenhower, Dwight D.Dwight D. Eisenhower
(1953–1961)
53 CharlesSThomas Cropped.jpg Thomas, CharlesCharles Thomas May 3, 1954 April 1, 1957 1064
54 Thomas S Gates Jr..jpg Gates Jr., Thomas S.Thomas S. Gates Jr. April 1, 1957 June 8, 1959 798
55 K-19407 William B. Franke official portrait (cropped).jpg Franke, William B.William B. Franke June 8, 1959 January 19, 1961 591
56 John Connally.jpg Connally, JohnJohn Connally January 25, 1961 December 20, 1961 329 Kennedy, John F.John F. Kennedy
(1961–1963)
57 FredKorth.jpg Korth, FredFred Korth January 4, 1962 November 1, 1963 666
Acting PaulBFay.jpg Fay, Paul B.Paul B. Fay November 2, 1963 November 28, 1963 26
Johnson, Lyndon B.Lyndon B. Johnson
(1963–1969)
58 Nitze, Paul.jpg Nitze, PaulPaul Nitze November 29, 1963 June 30, 1967 1309
Acting Baird, Charles F.Charles F. Baird July 1, 1967 August 31, 1967 61
59 Ignatius, Paul Robert.jpg Ignatius, PaulPaul Ignatius September 1, 1967 January 24, 1969 511
Nixon, RichardRichard Nixon
(1969–1974)
60 J.L. 3814 John H. Chafee, 1969 (cropped)-2.jpg Chafee, JohnJohn Chafee January 31, 1969 May 4, 1972 1189
61 John W Warner Sec of Navy.jpg Warner, JohnJohn Warner May 4, 1972 April 8, 1974 704
62 John William Middendorf (1969).jpg Middendorf, J. WilliamJ. William Middendorf April 8, 1974 January 20, 1977 1018
Ford, GeraldGerald Ford
(1974–1977)
63 W. Graham Claytor 1984.jpg Claytor Jr., W. GrahamW. Graham Claytor Jr. February 14, 1977 August 24, 1979 921 Carter, JimmyJimmy Carter
(1977–1981)
64 I06944k.jpg Hidalgo, EdwardEdward Hidalgo October 24, 1979 January 20, 1981 454
65 John Lehman, official photo as Secretary of the Navy, 1982.JPEG Lehman, JohnJohn Lehman February 5, 1981 April 10, 1987 2255 Reagan, RonaldRonald Reagan
(1981–1989)
66 James Webb, Assistant Secretary of Defense, official photo.JPEG Webb, JimJim Webb May 1, 1987 February 23, 1988 298
67 Secretary of the Navy William Ball.jpg Ball, William L.William L. Ball March 28, 1988 May 15, 1989 413
Bush, George H. W.George H. W. Bush
(1989–1993)
68 Henry Lawrence Garrett III, official Navy photo, 1987.jpg Garrett III, Henry L.Henry L. Garrett III May 15, 1989 June 26, 1992 1138
Acting J. Daniel Howard, Under Secretary of the Navy (2).jpg Howard, DanielDaniel Howard June 26, 1992 July 7, 1992 11
69 Sean O'Keefe, official Navy photo, 1992.jpg O'Keefe, SeanSean O'Keefe July 7, 1992 October 2, 1992 87
October 2, 1992 January 20, 1993 110
Acting Admiral Frank Kelso, official military photo.JPEG Kelso, FrankFrank Kelso January 20, 1993 July 21, 1993 182 Clinton, BillBill Clinton
(1993–2001)
70 DaltonJohn.jpg Dalton, John H.John H. Dalton July 22, 1993 November 16, 1998 1943
71 Richard Danzig, official Navy photo.jpg Danzig, RichardRichard Danzig November 16, 1998 January 20, 2001 796
Acting Robert Pirie, official photo portrait, circa 2001.jpg Pirie Jr., Robert B.Robert B. Pirie Jr. January 20, 2001 May 24, 2001 124 Bush, George W.George W. Bush
(2001–2009)
72 Gordon England portrait.jpg England, Gordon R.Gordon R. England May 24, 2001 January 30, 2003 616
Acting US Navy 030202-N-0000X-001 Under Secretary of the Navy.jpg Livingstone, SusanSusan Livingstone January 30, 2003 February 7, 2003 8
Acting US Navy 030402-N-0000X-001 Secretary of the Navy Hansford T. Johnson (Acting).jpg Johnson, Hansford T.Hansford T. Johnson February 7, 2003 September 30, 2003 235
73 Gordon England portrait.jpg England, Gordon R.Gordon R. England October 1, 2003 December 29, 2005 820
Acting AvilesDionel.jpg Aviles, Dionel M.Dionel M. Aviles December 29, 2005 January 3, 2006 5
74 Donald Winter, official photo as Secretary of the Navy, 2006.jpg Winter, Donald C.Donald C. Winter January 3, 2006 March 13, 2009 1165
Obama, BarackBarack Obama
(2009–2017)
Acting PennBJ.jpg Penn, B. J.B. J. Penn March 13, 2009 May 19, 2009 67
75 SECNAV-Mabus-OfficialPhoto2-2014.jpg Mabus, RayRay Mabus May 19, 2009 January 20, 2017 2803
Acting Sean J. Stackley.jpg Stackley, SeanSean Stackley January 20, 2017 August 3, 2017 195 Trump, DonaldDonald Trump
(2017–2021)
76 Richard V. Spencer.jpg Spencer, Richard V.Richard V. Spencer August 3, 2017 July 15, 2019 711
Acting Thomas B. Modly.jpg Modly, ThomasThomas Modly July 15, 2019 July 31, 2019 16
76 Richard V. Spencer.jpg Spencer, Richard V.Richard V. Spencer July 31, 2019 November 24, 2019 116
Acting Thomas B. Modly.jpg Modly, ThomasThomas Modly November 24, 2019 April 7, 2020 135
Acting James McPherson Acting Navy Secretary.jpg McPherson, James E.James E. McPherson April 7, 2020 May 29, 2020 52
77 Kenneth J. Braithwaite II official photo.jpg Braithwaite, KennethKenneth Braithwaite May 29, 2020 January 20, 2021 236
Acting Thomas W. Harker official photo.jpg Harker, ThomasThomas Harker January 20, 2021 August 9, 2021 201 Biden, JoeJoe Biden
(2021–2025)
78 Carlos Del Toro SECNAV portrait.jpg Del Toro, CarlosCarlos Del Toro August 9, 2021 January 20, 2025 1260
Acting Terence G. Emmert.jpg Emmert, TerenceTerence Emmert January 20, 2025 Present Trump, DonaldDonald Trump
(2025–present)

See Also

  • Military awards of the United States Department of the Navy
  • Secretary of the Navy Council of Review Boards
  • Stephen Mallory, the only Secretary of the Navy of the Confederate States of America
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