Rear Adm. John Nowell, director of military personnel plans and policy at the U.S. Navy, was nominated to be chief of naval personnel, USNI News reported Thursday.
He will elevate to the rank of vice admiral and succeed Vice Adm. Robert Burke once the Senate confirms his appointment.
His nomination came as the military service aims to implement a series of reforms to its education program, including a plan to appoint create a warfighting development director, the report noted.
The U.S. Naval Academy graduate served as director of strategy, resources and plans for the U.S. 6th Fleet and led the Expeditionary Strike Group 7.
Nowell also commanded the USS Porter destroyer, the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group and the Destroyer Squadron 60/Task Force 65.