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Retired Rear Adm. Kenneth Braithwaite Tapped to be Next SECNAV By: Ben Werner November 25, 2019 9:20 PM THE PENTAGON – President Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate retired Rear Adm. Kenneth Braithwaite, the current U.S. ambassador to Norway, to be the next secretary of the Navy. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper suggested Trump consider Braithwaite, a 1984 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, to become the secretary of the Navy after asking Richard V. Spencer to resign from the post. “Kenneth Braithwaite is somebody I’ve known for quite some time. I think he’d be very capable. It’s my...

As the Obama administration this week named another warship after a politician, a new report is circulating in Congress that shows that nearly 200 Navy and Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipients have never been awarded such an honor, contrary to naval guidelines and tradition. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, who has named several ships after Democrats and liberal activists not connected to the military, was in Detroit on Monday to announce that an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer will be named the USS Carl M. Levin. The Michigan Democrat served 31 years in the Senate and chaired the Senate Armed Services...

Rep. Duncan Hunter has had enough of Navy Secretary Ray Mabus' strong support for opening all Marine combat posts to women, declaring him "a greater threat to the Marine Corps than ISIS.” The Republican congressman and Marine veteran from California, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, is furious with Mabus for pushing through an end to the ban on women serving in all combat positions over the Marine Corps' objections. Particularly, he's taking exception to memo Mabus sent to the Marines Corps this week, instructing it integrate Marine boot camp, which has been separate for men and women, and change...

Last week, Congress passed a massive $662 billion defense bill that may or may not be vetoed by the president because of a couple controversial provisions about the military's role in dealing with terror suspects. But also snuggled inside that huge bill was a very small provision from Missouri Congressman Roy Blunt. The amendment would require the Secretary of the Navy to "perform a study and seek recommendations to evaluate how Naval vessels are named." Blunt's provision is in response to the decision by the Secretary of the Navy last May to name one of its ships after famed labor...

Washington — U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder refused to answer pointed questions from Congressman Darrell Issa, R-Calif., about allegations the Obama Administration offered U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak, D-Pa., a high-ranking position in return for dropping out of the primary election against incumbent Sen. Arlen Specter. Mr. Issa wants the Justice Department to investigate the allegations which, if confirmed, could amount to three felony offenses for bribery and corruption.  On Thursday, with Mr. Holder testifying before the House Judiciary Committee, Mr. Issa asked why a special prosecutor has not been assigned to investigate the case. “The appointment of a special prosecutor...

PENSACOLA, Fla. (NNS) -- Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter presented the Bronze Star to Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman (SW/SCW) Reginald Dean at Naval Hospital Pensacola June 1, for his heroic life-saving actions following a suicide-bomb explosion near Fort Tal-Afar in Iraq. Winter presented the Bronze Star medal to the Naval Branch Health Clinic Whiting Field, Fla., corpsman before a specially-chosen, six-person ‘Honor Formation,’ and another full contingent of previously-deployed Naval Hospital personnel. "This award is unique in and of itself," Winter said. "It is a noteworthy statement of what this individual has done for his country." Following the presentation,...

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- On what was only his second day in office, Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Donald Winter, visited with wounded Sailors and Marines, and the hospital staff at National Naval Medical Center (NNMC) Bethesda. In his first message to the fleet after being sworn in Jan. 3, as the 74th SECNAV, Winter expressed how important it was to take care of the men and women of the fleet saying, “People are our most valuable asset. Nothing can play so decisive a role as well-trained, highly motivated Sailors and Marines who believe in their mission.” Winter reinforced those sentiments...

The Source for Navy News SECNAV's Labor Day Message Story Number: NNS030827-17Release Date: 8/27/2003 4:34:00 PM   Special message from the Honorable Hansford T. Johnson, Acting Secretary of the NavyWASHINGTON (NNS) -- The following is a Labor Day message from the Honorable Hansford T. Johnson, Acting Secretary of the Navy: As we celebrate the contributions workers have made to the prosperity of our great nation this Labor Day, we also celebrate our contribution to their security. From Africa through the Middle East to the Pacific Rim, we stand on the front lines of our nation’s defense. Together with the Army,...

Former Navy secretary blasts Bush on Iraq By DENNIS O'BRIEN, The Virginian-Pilot © August 30, 2003 NORFOLK -- Former Navy Secretary James Webb blasted the Bush administration's policy on Iraq, saying it was sold to the American people on false premises. ``I am very troubled by the fact that we went into Iraq and very troubled about how we're going to get out of Iraq,'' Webb said Thursday to about 200 naval officers, veterans and civilians at the Radisson Hotel Norfolk. The lecture was sponsored by the Hampton Roads Naval Museum and the Naval War College Foundation. The United States...

ABOARD USS TARAWA, At Sea (NNS) -- The Secretary of the Navy personally delivered a message to "be prepared" to the Sailors and Marines aboard USS Tarawa (LHA 1), and they collectively replied that they’re ready, during a visit to the San Diego-based amphibious assault ship off the coast of Southern California Oct. 24. The Honorable Gordon R. England and his official party flew aboard Tarawa for a mid-morning visit to meet and talk with embarked Sailors and Marines of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), and to let them know that their hard work is appreciated. “I want to...