To reach the pinnacle of your industry in any career is an extraordinary endeavor. When that height is the U.S. Navy’s highest ranking position, our entire country recognizes the significance and sacrifice. Here, we’ll follow the career of Admiral Mike Gilday, an indefatigable USNA Notable Graduate who became the 32nd Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) on August 22, 2019. This is his extraordinary story.
A Navy Life
Michael Gilday was born to Navy sailor Gerald Gilday and his wife Frances Gilday; he grew up in the Boston suburb of Lowell, Massachusetts, along with four other siblings. Gilday graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1985 and was commissioned as a Surface Warfare Officer (SWO). Early on, he served on USS Chandler (DDG 996), USS
Princeton (CG 59) and USS Gettysburg (CG 64). To further bolster his skills and enhance his knowledge of leadership and military prowess, Gilday pursued higher education, earning his master’s degree from both the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and the National War College.
Over the years, his responsibilities steadily grew as he took on more prominent roles in the Navy. Gilday’s staff assignments include serving on the Bureau of Naval Personnel; serving on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations—as well as staff of the Vice Chief of Naval Operations. He managed joint assignments as the executive assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and naval aide to both President Clinton and President George W. Bush from 1998 - 2003. For this position, he was entrusted with the famed “nuclear football” aboard Air Force One; the device that contained the thermonuclear launch codes.
Taking Command of the Seas
As he took on more senior roles, Gilday commanded the destroyers USS Higgins (DDG 76) and USS Benfold (DDG 65). After serving in the second Gulf War against Iraq, Gilday then moved on to joint senior positions as director of operations for NATO’s Joint Force Command in Lisbon and chief of staff for Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO. He went on to command Destroyer Squadron 7, becoming sea combat commander for the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group from 2013 to 2014. Then from 2014 through 2016, he was Director of Operations, J3, for U.S. Cyber Command.
Admiral Gilday, as a flag officer, served as commander for Carrier Strike Group 8 and was embarked aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) and as commander of the U.S. Fleet Cyber Command and U.S 10th Fleet, working closely with the National Security Agency (NSA) to gather intelligence in cyberspace. One of his responsibilities included managing the Navy’s global telecommunication systems. Then in May of 2018, Gilday was appointed Director of Operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and he later became Director of the Joint Staff on March 1, 2019.
Becoming Chief of Naval Operations
In 2019, more than three decades of hard work and determination in the Navy culminated in his appointment to the most senior officer in the Department of the Navy: Chief of Naval Operations (CNO).
Gilday took the reins of CNO on August 22, 2019, assuming a role which is responsible to the Navy for the command, utilization of resources, and operating efficiency of the operating forces of the Navy and of the Navy shore activities assigned by the Secretary of the Navy. CNOs operate as crucial members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, serving as the foremost naval advisor both to the President of the United States as well as the Secretary of the Navy. In this position, Gilday is also the preeminent advisor and naval executive to the secretary on the conduct of activities of the Department of the Navy. His assistants are the Vice Chief of Naval Operations (VCNO), the Deputy Chiefs of Naval Operations (DCNOs), the Assistant Chiefs of Naval Operations (ACNOs).
For this tremendous lifelong service, Gilday has earned a number of awards that recognize both his and his teams’ achievements. He received the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Service Medal, four Defense Superior Service Medals, three Legion of Merit awards, the Bronze Star, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat “V” and the Combat Action Ribbon.
See Where History Happens
We are incredibly proud of our USNA Notable Graduates, who have forged incredible careers at the highest levels of leadership in a number of different industries and spheres of influence. We are thankful to Admiral Gilday for his tireless support of the Navy and his many years of service to our country.
Want to know how you can support the Navy? Your trip to the Academy gives back to the Brigade each time. Proceeds from our dining, shops and tours go directly to the midshipmen, to fund their clubs and extracurricular activities. Every time you step onto the Yard, you’re experiencing a proud tradition of history and giving back to those who give their all for our country every day. Come see the places where our notable graduates first tested out and honed their leadership skills, working to become the capable naval officers who lead today. Be a part of history!
