Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao has appointed M. Barry Tanner as the permanent chief information officer (CIO) for the service.
In the role announced Aug. 18, Tanner will advise Cao and oversee the Navy’s $12 billion information technology portfolio and implement the department’s Information Superiority Vision 2.0 and the DON Strategy to weaponize data and artificial intelligence.
“To win in a contested maritime environment, our Sailors and Marines must have absolute decision superiority,” Cao said in a statement on Tuesday. “The modern battlefield is defined by data, secure communication and rapid decision-making.
“Information is a critical weapon system, and Mr. Tanner’s unparalleled experience—both as a veteran naval officer and a cutting-edge digital leader—makes him the ideal choice to spearhead our digital modernization. He will ensure our fleet has the lethal, secure and resilient cyber capabilities needed to defeat any adversary.”
Tanner was previously the deputy CIO and also served as the director of operations for the Navy’s Program Executive Office for Digital and Enterprise.
Prior to that current work, however, he served as a naval officer and attained the rank of captain while serving in multiple unit command and major staff director positions over a 31-year active and reserve career.
The Jefferson City, Mo., native and 1991 graduate of the United States Naval Academy will establish AI structures in a Navy context.
“I am deeply honored to serve the Navy-Marine Corps team as chief information officer,” said Tanner. “In today’s high-end fight, secure, reliable and instantaneous data delivery is just as critical to our war fighters as any kinetic weapon system.
“I look forward to working closely with Acting Secretary Cao, department leaders and our partners across the industry to accelerate the weaponization of data and AI. Together, we will deliver modern, resilient enterprise services that provide our Sailors and Marines with the digital dominance required to fight and win.”
The appointment comes as President Donald Trump has made defense a big priority under his second administration.
Under the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) still being drafted in Congress, the U.S. military aims to increase total active-duty armed forces to over 1.3 million personnel—the highest target since 2023—with the Army growing to 454,000 soldiers, and the Navy expanding to 334,600 sailors.
It comes amid public suspicion about AI. In February, Trump said he would direct federal agencies to stop using technology from AI developer Anthropic. The company had refused a demand to give the U.S. military full access to its AI tools.
In March, OpenAI said it had agreed to changes to a deal with the U.S. government over the use of its technology in classified military operations.
Other Key Navy Appointments
Earlier this month, Trump announced a series of key military appointments in the Navy and in other U.S. military branches like the Space Force.
These appointments included making John D. Saccomando, who was serving as commander, Naval Air Force Reserve, San Diego, California, a rear admiral, with assignment as chief of Navy Reserve, N095, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations/commander, Navy Reserve Forces, Pentagon.
In July, Cao appointed John Cremins as the new deputy under secretary of the Navy for Intelligence and Security (DUSN I&S).
In this role, Cremins, a former Navy SEAL Officer, 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 Navy also recently announced a bonus structure to encourage people to join the service.
Naval aviators will be eligible to earn $37,000 over a two-year obligation or $129,000 over a three-year obligation under certain circumstances, according to a July 26 naval administrative message.
They also may qualify for a $10,000 annual Sea Duty Incentive, but those who opt for the three-year contract would be capped at $7,000 in additional annual sea duty pay, resulting in a $150,000 total.
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