President Donald Trump with Hung Cao in 2024. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
The move follows remarks by Hegseth Sept. 30 to flag and general officers at Marine Corps Base Quantico.
"First and foremost, we must restore a ruthless, dispassionate and common-sense application of standards," Hesgeth said. "Standards must be uniform, gender-neutral, and high. If not, they’re not standards — they’re suggestions. Suggestions that get our sons and daughters killed."
Cao’s reforms will start at home and include launching a new inspection system with 60-day repair timelines to overhaul military family housing.
Base dining will shift to healthier, locally sourced menus designed to mirror combat readiness and improve nutrition.
HEGSETH VOWS TO REBUILD MILITARY DETERRENCE SO ENEMIES 'DON'T WANT TO F--- WITH US'
Navy Under Secretary Hung Cao has been tapped to lead a sweeping overhaul of the Navy and Marine Corps. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
"These aren’t talking points, they’re timelines," Cao said of the reforms. "We’re ending bureaucratic drift and restoring excellence."
Cao’s initiatives will also aim to unify family welfare and combat readiness under what Phelan describes as "one quarterback, one playbook."
On Capitol Hill, Rep. Jack Whitfield, R-Texas, chair of the House Armed Services readiness panel, said Congress would "support the Navy’s renewed focus on lethality and accountability."
Department of War Secretary Pete Hegseth arrives at the Pentagon. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)
A Democratic staffer on the Senate Armed Services Committee called it "an overdue reset" and confirmed oversight "will track results closely."
The sweeping, new portfolio integrates quality-of-service improvements, modernization, and reserve reform under a single chain of command.
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"This is about speed, standards, and service," Phelan said. "When the basics work the first time, ships sail more, aircraft fly farther, and the world’s greatest maritime force only gets stronger."
Hegseth and Phelan did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Emma Bussey is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital. Before joining Fox, she worked at The Telegraph with the U.S. overnight team, across desks including foreign, politics, news, sport and culture.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/new-navy-under-secretary-cao-supercharge-force-ditching-dei-raising-standards-modernizing-it