United States Secretary of the Navy
| United States Secretary of the Navy | |
|---|---|
Seal of the Department of the Navy | |
Flag of the secretary | |
since 25 March 2025 | |
| Department of the Navy | |
| Style | Mister Secretary The Honorable (formally) |
| Abbreviation | SECNAV |
| Reports to | Secretary of Defense Deputy Secretary of Defense |
| Appointer | The President, with Senate advice and consent |
| Constituting instrument | 10 U.S.C. § 8013 |
| Formation | 18 June 1798 |
| First holder | Benjamin Stoddert |
| Succession | 3rd in SecDef succession |
| Deputy | The Under Secretary (Principal Civilian Deputy) Chief of Naval Operations (Navy Advisor and Deputy) The Commandant (Marine Corps Advisor and Deputy) |
| Salary | Executive Schedule, level II |
| Website | www |
The Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) is a statutory officer (10 U.S.C. § 8013) and the head (chief executive officer) of the Department of the Navy, a military department within the United States Department of Defense. On March 25, 2025, John Phelan was confirmed as Secretary of the Navy.
By law, the Secretary of the Navy must be a civilian at least five years removed from active military service. The secretary is appointed by the president and requires confirmation by the Senate.