President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he is nominating acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao for the permanent position. The nomination seeks to fill a vacancy in the military's top leadership during the ongoing war with Iran.
The move comes amid concerns regarding the impact of the conflict on personnel and readiness. Critics have accused the president of overworking sailors, suggesting that some have been stretched to the limit.
Hung Cao is a Vietnamese refugee and Navy veteran who previously served as a Navy diver and explosive ordnance disposal officer. He is also a former political candidate from Virginia.
Cao has been serving as acting secretary since late April, when John Phelan departed the role unexpectedly and without explanation.