The U.S. Senate has confirmed Kenneth Braithwaite to serve as the next secretary of the Navy, following the November departure of his predecessor, USNI News reported.

Braithwaite is a retired Navy rear admiral and the current U.S. ambassador to Norway. The 1984 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy went to flight school and flew anti-submarine warfare missions in the Pacific and Indian oceans before moving to the public affairs community. He rose through the ranks on active duty and then as a reservist, ultimately becoming the top reserve public affairs officer.

In his civilian career, he worked for former Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) from 1997 to 2000 and was a lobbyist for the hospital and healthcare industry.