New Navy Under Secretary Hung Cao Set to Revamp Military Standards and Modernize Operations

New Navy Under Secretary Hung Cao Set to Revamp Military Standards and Modernize Operations

Navy Secretary John C. Phelan has appointed Hung Cao as the new Navy Under Secretary, tasking him with a comprehensive overhaul of the service aimed at revitalizing the Navy and Marine Corps. This initiative includes modernizing both business and IT systems.

Cao was sworn in on October 3 by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, returning to the Department of the Navy with explicit instructions to eliminate inefficiencies and elevate operational standards.

In a memo shared exclusively with Fox News Digital, Phelan emphasized that the planned reforms aim to enhance readiness, expedite repairs, and prioritize the well-being of sailors, Marines, and their families while reinvigorating the warrior ethos of the Navy and Marine Corps.

Previously a U.S. Navy captain and a prominent Republican figure, Cao has a track record that includes a Senate run in Virginia in 2024. His nomination as the 35th Navy Under Secretary came from former President Trump, showcasing his influence in military and political circles.

Standards and Readiness at the Forefront

This initiative follows Hegseth’s address to flag and general officers at Marine Corps Base Quantico on September 30. During his speech, Hegseth stressed the necessity of reinstating rigorous and unbiased standards within the military. He stated that standards must be uniform, gender-neutral, and held to high expectations; otherwise, they serve merely as suggestions that could endanger service members’ lives.

Cao’s reform agenda begins with immediate changes, including the introduction of a new inspection system aimed at ensuring 60-day timelines for housing repairs for military families. Enhancing the quality of life for service members and their families is a top priority.

Revamping Nutrition and IT Systems

Base dining facilities will transition to healthier, locally sourced meal options that align with combat readiness and nutritional needs. These shifts recognize the critical balance between physical fitness and service readiness.

Cao also plans to modernize outdated IT and business systems. The goal is to implement mobile-ready platforms that streamline daily operations and empower sailors with effective tools. By doing so, the Navy aims to improve operational efficiency significantly.

Commitment to Transparency and Accountability

Beyond quality-of-life improvements, the Navy set its sights on achieving full audit compliance by the fiscal year 2026. This commitment is essential for strengthening transparency and accountability across the ranks.

Further, recruiting reforms are on the horizon. The focus will shift from diversity, equity, and inclusion-based waivers to merit-only accessions. Reserve forces will also see closer integration with active-duty training, enhancing overall readiness and responsiveness.

Faster Relocation and Enhanced Educational Opportunities

The new policies will expedite Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders while expanding school choices for military families. Recognizing the importance of education in service members’ lives, these changes will ensure smoother transitions for families as they relocate.

Focus on Strategic Infrastructure in the Indo-Pacific

On the strategic front, Guam will experience significant infrastructure upgrades, enhancing its capacity to serve as a pivotal Indo-Pacific power-projection hub. Improvements will include expanded runways, fuel capacity, and housing, all aimed at reinforcing military readiness in the region.

Timelines for Reform and Accountability

Cao has made it clear that these reforms are not mere rhetoric. He has provided specific timelines for implementation and expressed his determination to eliminate bureaucratic inertia and restore a culture of excellence within the Navy.

His initiatives also seek to unify the aspects of family welfare and combat readiness, aligning with Phelan’s vision of a cohesive operational framework encompassing a “single quarterback and a single playbook.”

Support from Capitol Hill

On Capitol Hill, support for the Navy’s renewed focus on lethality and accountability has emerged from key legislators. Rep. Jack Whitfield, R-Texas, the chair of the House Armed Services readiness panel, expressed that Congress stands ready to back these initiatives.

A Democratic staffer on the Senate Armed Services Committee remarked that this approach represents an overdue reset, indicating that legislative oversight will closely monitor progress and results.

Integrating Quality of Service and Modernization

The comprehensive reform agenda strives to unify quality-of-service improvements, modernization efforts, and reserve reforms under a cohesive command structure. This multifaceted approach aims to enhance operational capabilities while ensuring the welfare of service members.

Impact on Operational Efficiency

As stated by Phelan, the emphasis on functionality is paramount. When operational processes are streamlined, ships will sail more frequently, and aircraft will achieve greater distances, ultimately strengthening the Navy’s status as the world’s preeminent maritime force.

At the time of publication, neither Hegseth nor Phelan had responded to inquiries from Fox News Digital regarding the reforms.