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Official Swearing-In Ceremony
John Phelan was officially sworn in as the 79th Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) during a ceremony at the National Archives on March 25, 2025. The event took place in the presence of America’s founding documents, underscoring the significance of his appointment.
During his remarks, Phelan expressed gratitude to President Donald Trump and the U.S. Senate for entrusting him with the leadership of the Department of the Navy. He emphasized his commitment to revitalizing shipbuilding, strengthening warfighting culture, and recruiting top-tier Sailors and Marines.
Responsibilities as Secretary of the Navy
As SECNAV, Phelan oversees the readiness, development, and well-being of nearly one million personnel, including Sailors, Marines, reservists, and civilian employees. He manages an annual budget exceeding $265 billion, with authority under Title 10 of the U.S. Code to direct all Navy affairs, including recruitment, training, mobilization, and equipment procurement.
Phelan has outlined several priorities for his tenure, including:
- Increasing shipbuilding capacity to modernize the fleet.
- Strengthening the maritime industrial base by revisiting existing contracts.
- Improving training, health, and welfare for Navy personnel.
- Enhancing readiness through modernization and strategic planning.
Background and Career
Before his appointment, Phelan was the Founder and Chairman of Rugger Management, LLC, a private investment firm based in Palm Beach, Florida. He previously co-founded MSD Capital, L.P., an investment firm managing assets for Michael Dell, and MSD Partners, which oversaw $30 billion in investments.
Earlier in his career, Phelan was a Principal at ESL Partners, where he helped grow the firm’s assets from $50 million to over $2 billion. He also served as Vice President at Zell-Merrill Lynch Real Estate Opportunity Funds.
Education and Philanthropy
Phelan holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and graduated Phi Beta Kappa, cum laude from Southern Methodist University (SMU) with a B.A. in Economics and Political Science. He also earned a General Course degree in Economics and International Relations from the London School of Economics (LSE).
A dedicated philanthropist, Phelan has served on the boards of:
- Third Option Foundation (Chairman).
- Spirit of America.
- Aspen Art Museum (Chairman).
- Harvard Business School’s Board of Dean’s Advisors.
In 2022, he received SMU’s Distinguished Alumni Award, the university’s highest honor.
First Actions as SECNAV
On his first full day in office, Phelan visited Corpus Christi, Texas, where he met with Patrol Squadron 26 before flying aboard a P-8A Poseidon for anti-trafficking maritime operations. He later boarded the USS Gravely (DDG-107) alongside U.S. Fleet Forces commander Adm. Daryl Caudle, reinforcing his commitment to border security and naval readiness.
Phelan’s leadership marks a pivotal moment for the U.S. Navy, as he aims to modernize operations, strengthen personnel welfare, and enhance national security.
