News
Navy ‘in a fight for the narrative’: Hung Cao presses service to unify public messaging
Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao on June 8 established the Department of the Navy Communication Strategy, aimed at combat not of the seas, but of information. “We are in a fight for the narrative,” Cao wrote. “Our adversaries compete not only with steel, but with coordinated disinformation designed to undermine our will, divide our alliances, and erode the confidence of the American people. We will ...[Read More]
Navy’s billet-based advancement shift leaves nuclear sailors on separate path
The Navy is changing how enlisted advancement works. Eligible sailors in participating ratings are increasingly being connected to higher-paygrade billets, while nuclear sailors remain on a different advancement track. According to a Navy spokesperson, the programs have different functions, requirements and candidate pools. The differences are underscored by the service’s 2026 Nuclear Meritorious ...[Read More]
Navy’s Directed Energy Systems Integration Lab to Train Sailors on Laser Weapons
Sailors can now get certified in operating and maintaining the fleet’s most prevalent directed energy system through a new training program at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division (NSWC PHD)’s Directed Energy Systems Integration Laboratory (DESIL), with the first course completed in late March.
Navy’s head auditor harassed, ridiculed subordinates, probe finds
The official in charge of tracking the Navy’s finances mocked the smell, weight and appearance of subordinates and made hiring decisions that appeared to show bias in favor of other African American women, a new report from the Pentagon’s top watchdog finds. The 42-page probe concludes that Donjette Gilmore, auditor general of the Navy Audit Service, made a habit of harassing and belittling subord...[Read More]
Navy’s MIB Program Celebrates Year of Focused Effort to Strengthen Maritime Industrial Capability and Capacity
The U.S. Navy’s Maritime Industrial Base (MIB) Program marks its first anniversary this week, highlighting milestones and forward progress that will strengthen America’s shipbuilding and repair capacity and enable industrial growth.
Navy’s MQ-25A Stingray secures Milestone C approval
Following a successful first flight in April, Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao announced today that the MQ-25A Stingray received Milestone C approval to move into Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP).
Navy’s new enlisted leader puts sailors, training at forefront
The 17th master chief petty officer of the Navy released his objectives for the fleet Tuesday, a day after he was sworn in as the Navy’s top enlisted sailor. Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy John Perryman took to social media to share a page outlining his focus on prioritizing sailors and sailors’ families, as well as service members’ technical knowledge and education as they move forward in...[Read More]
Navy’s top officer and enlisted sailor visit troops in Guam
The Navy’s newest chief of naval operations made his first visit to Guam since he assumed responsibilities in August Wednesday, along with the service’s top enlisted sailor. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle and Master Chief Petty Officer John Perryman met with sailors and Navy leadership during an all-hands call at Naval Base Guam. “Our Sailors on Guam are serving on the front line of o...[Read More]
Navy’s ‘dinosaur’ carrier delivery plane flies into sunset
In 2022, Lt. Cmdr. Alex “Phrog” Vogel flew his 60-year-old C-2A Greyhound carrier onboard delivery aircraft from San Diego to Japan in a memorable mission that at times balanced on a knife’s edge of timing and logistics. The relatively small plane required numerous and specific refueling stops at remote locations. But one leg of the trip — from the tip of Alaska’s Aleutian Island chain to Misawa, ...[Read More]
NCCM (SW/AW) Kevin D. Kikawa
Master Chief Petty Officer Kevin D. Kikawa was born in San Diego, California, and graduated from Truckee High School in 1998. He entered the United States Navy on May 23, 2000.
NCCM Sara L. Drake
NCCM Sara L. Drake is a native of Indiana, Pennsylvania, and a 1997 graduate of Penns Manor High School. She enlisted in the United States Navy during her senior year, reporting to Recruit Training Command on November 4, 1997.
NDAA restores women’s policy teams canceled in Pentagon DEI purge
Days after Pete Hegseth was installed as the Pentagon’s top civilian, some all-volunteer teams of service women working to address obstacles and improve policy became casualties of his war on diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI. But a provision tucked into the $900 billion defense policy bill would bring them back. The National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2026, which passed the House ...[Read More]