U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Shoshana Chatfield, the only woman serving on NATO’s military committee, was dismissed over the weekend by the Trump administration, according to U.S. officials. While no official reason was provided, the firing is believed to be linked to Chatfield’s support for diversity within the military.
Officials stated that Adm. Christopher Grady, the acting chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, informed Chatfield about the decision, indicating that the administration wanted to pursue a different direction for the role. It is speculated that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made the decision, though it’s unclear whether President Trump was directly involved.
Chatfield becomes the third high-ranking female officer to be removed since Trump’s presidency. In February, Hegseth announced the dismissal of Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the chief of naval operations, and shortly after taking office, Trump fired Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Linda Fagan.
The Trump administration has been vocal about its opposition to what it calls “woke” policies, leading efforts to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs within the military. Chatfield was reportedly on a list of senior military officials targeted by the conservative American Accountability Foundation, which has been campaigning to remove leaders associated with DEI initiatives.
A Navy helicopter pilot and veteran of Afghanistan, Chatfield served on NATO’s military committee, which provides strategic military advice to NATO’s political leaders and supports the Nuclear Planning Group. Her role was pivotal in bridging military operations with political decision-making.
Sen. Mark Warner, a Democrat from Virginia, criticized the firing, stating it undermines U.S. alliances and weakens national security. The dismissal has sparked debate among lawmakers and citizens, many of whom are concerned about the removal of military leaders with a history of promoting diversity.
Chatfield’s support for diversity was evident through her LinkedIn posts about diversity summits and a 2015 speech for Women’s Equality Day, where she emphasized the value of empowering women. She also expressed that “our diversity is our strength,” a sentiment that has been criticized by Hegseth.
Originally from Garden Grove, California, Chatfield graduated from Boston University, earned a master’s degree from Harvard, and holds a doctorate from the University of San Diego. Her military career includes deployments in the Pacific and Persian Gulf, and she served as senior military assistant to NATO’s supreme allied commander Europe. She has been awarded a Bronze Star for her service.