The Department of the Navy has appointed a new Deputy Under Secretary of the Navy for Intelligence and Security (DUSN I&S).
Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao appointed John Cremins to the role, in which he will serve as the principal civilian advisor to the Under Secretary of the Navy for policy, oversight, and resourcing of intelligence and intelligence-related activities.
The former Navy SEAL Officer, who has also held roles in the private sector in defense technology and national security, will also lead in the realm of special operations and irregular warfare, sensitive activities, and security.
“Mr. Cremins’ extensive background and unparalleled expertise overseeing sensitive projects vital to national security across traditional and emergent domains have provided him with a unique skill set that will position the Department of the Navy to excel in a new era of war fighting,” said Secretary Cao in a statement.
Navy’s Role In Iran
Cremin’s appointment comes as the U.S. continues its war against Iran, a conflict the Navy is deeply involved in.
The conflict, which included Israel joining the U.S. in those air strikes against Iran, has intensified in recent weeks, and an interim deal agreed last month to end the fighting has collapsed.
The Navy has deployed more than 20 warships to the Middle East and is involved in the blockade of Iranian ports.
Cremins will identify and secure vulnerabilities in new technologies involved in this war and others while modernizing intelligence policies.
‘Profound Honor’
“It is a profound honor to return to the Department of the Navy to serve as Deputy Under Secretary for Intelligence and Security,” Cremins said in a statement. “In an era of rapidly evolving global threats, the protection of our critical assets and the modernization of our intelligence capabilities are paramount. I look forward to working with Acting Secretary Cao and the incredible professionals across the Fleet to ensure our forces maintain the decisive advantage necessary to secure American maritime dominance.”
Elsewhere in the intelligence realm, the Senate Intelligence Committee recently advanced the nomination of Jay Clayton, President Donald Trump’s pick to head the nation’s intelligence agencies, along party lines.
Clayton was nominated after interim DNI Bill Pulte was met with widespread criticism over his appointment due, in part, to his lack of experience in the intelligence field and possessing a housing background.
Pulte’s predecessor, Tulsi Gabbard, resigned from the role in May after revealing her husband’s cancer diagnosis.
