Vice Chief of Naval Operations

Vice Chief of Naval Operations
Mark of the U.S. Navy
Flag of the Vice Chief of Naval Operations
Incumbent Admiral James W. Kilby since 5 January 2024
United States Navy Office of the Chief of Naval Operations
Abbreviation	VCNO
Reports to	Chief of Naval Operations
Appointer	The President with Senate advice and consent
Constituting instrument	10 U.S.C. § 8035
Formation	26 March 1942; 82 years ago (1942-03-26)
First holder	Frederick J. Horne

The vice chief of naval operations (VCNO) is the second highest-ranking commissioned United States Navy officer in the Department of the Navy and functions as the principal deputy of the chief of naval operations. By statute, the vice chief is appointed as a four-star admiral.^[1]