CNO Confirms Pending Retirement
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS050207-11
Release Date: 2/7/2005 3:37:00 PM
From Chief of Naval Operations Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Adm. Vern Clark, 27th Chief of Naval Operations, confirmed Feb. 7 that he plans to retire from active duty this summer. His successor has not been named.
In response to a reporter's question during a FORCEnet Conference at the Sheraton Pentagon South Hotel in Alexandria, Va., Clark said that he recently submitted his retirement request to Secretary of the Navy Gordon R. England.
"I don't have an exact timeline," he said, referring to a date for the change of command and retirement.
"This is really not about me, it's about the institution," Clark said. "It's been the thrill of my life to be able to lead the Navy at a time like this. It has been thrilling for Connie and me." Clark is the second-longest serving CNO in the Navy's history.
When Clark was asked by the Secretary of Defense a year and a half ago to extend his tour, the two agreed that he would stay "about a year. And then we would see what happened," Clark said. "This is a challenging job, and I think five years is about the right time."
Clark said that he felt it was time for him to turn over the reins to the next generation.
"Our Navy has a great stable of leaders for the Secretary of the Navy, Secretary of Defense and the President to choose from," Clark said.
He said that he presently does not have plans for post-retirement, and until then, he will continue to do what he has been doing since the beginning of his tenure as CNO.
"I get up every morning and say, 'Okay, what can we do to make the Navy a better place and a better organization?' That's what I'm going to continue to do."
Clark assumed duties as Chief of Naval Operations July 21, 2000.
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