Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao is scheduled to speak Tuesday at the Modern Day Marine conference in Washington after replacing John Phelan as the Navy's civilian leader.

Cao, who was confirmed as Navy under secretary in October, assumed the role of acting secretary last week after Phelan was abruptly ousted only a day after speaking with reporters at the Navy League’s Sea-Air-Space conference.

In a social media statement, Cao said he has “moved out with the duties and responsibilities of the office” and listed his priorities as “taking care of our sailors and Marines, advancing shipbuilding initiatives and ensuring the defense of our homeland.”

In contrast to Phelan, who had no prior Navy experience, Cao is a retired Navy captain and a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. He previously ran against incumbent Sen. Tim Kaine (D) for the Virginia Senate seat in 2024, and ran for Virginia’s 10th congressional district in 2022, losing both races.

The timing of the Navy leadership shakeup comes amid a U.S. naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and closely follows the service’s formal fiscal year 2027 budget rollout. It also follows the removal of several other Pentagon officials, including Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George.

Meanwhile, Marine Corps leaders are also slated to appear at Modern Day Marine this week following the release of their budget request. Officials include Commandant Gen. Eric Smith, Deputy Commandant for Aviation Lt. Gen. William Swan and recently appointed Marine Corps Portfolio Acquisition Executive Eric Austin.

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