List of United States Navy vice admirals since 2020

Statutory limits, elevations and reductions

The U.S. Code states that no more than 34 officers in the U.S. Navy may hold the rank of vice admiral on the active duty list, aside from those on joint duty assignments.^[8] Three-star positions can be elevated to four-star grade or reduced to two-star grade where deemed necessary, either to highlight their increasing importance^[n] to the defense apparatus (or lack thereof) or to achieve parity with equivalent commands in other services or regions. Few three-star positions are set by statute, leading to their increased volatility as they do not require congressional approval to be downgraded.

• Rear Admiral Frank D. Whitworth II was promoted to vice admiral on 30 July 2021, making him the first director of intelligence of the Joint Staff to hold three-star rank.^[1] The elevation would remain in place after Whitworth's assignment as director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, with the role being taken over by Lieutenant General Dimitri Henry.^[9][10]

• Rear Admiral John F.G. Wade, commander of Joint Task Force Red Hill, was promoted to vice admiral on 1 December 2022.^[11][12] Under the commander of USINDOPACOM, Wade was charged with overseeing the defueling of the closing Red Hill Underground Fuel Storage Facility from 2022 to 2024.^[13][14]

• Lieutenant General Jeffrey A. Kruse was appointed the first advisor for military to the director of national intelligence in August 2021 as part of organizational changes to the ODNI. The role was created to serve as a "focal point" for the ODNI to communicate with the Department of Defense, including the under secretary of defense for intelligence and security, combat support agency directors and the combatant commands.^[15]

Senate confirmations

Military nominations are considered by the Senate Armed Services Committee. While it is rare for three-star or four-star nominations to face even token opposition in the Senate, nominations that do face opposition due to controversy surrounding the nominee in question are typically withdrawn. Nominations that are not withdrawn are allowed to expire without action at the end of the legislative session.

• For example, the nomination of Major General Ryan F. Gonsalves for promotion to lieutenant general and assignment as commanding general of U.S. Army Europe was withdrawn in November 2017^[16] after an investigation was launched into the general's inappropriate comment to a female Congressional staffer.^[17] As a result, Gonsalves was administratively reprimanded and retired in May 2018.^[17][18][19]

Additionally, events that take place after Senate confirmation may still delay or even prevent the nominee from assuming office.

• For example, Major General John G. Rossi, who had been confirmed for promotion to lieutenant general^[20] and assignment as the commanding general of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command in April 2016^[21] committed suicide two days before his scheduled promotion and assumption of command.^[22] As a result, the then incumbent commander of USASMDC, Lieutenant General David L. Mann, remained in command beyond customary term limits until another nominee, Major General James H. Dickinson was confirmed by the Senate.^[23]