Professional Military Knowledge Eligibility Exam (PMK-EE) E4 Naval Heritage 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The role of Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) was established in 1913, and the first officer to hold this title was Admiral William D. Leahy, not Admiral Elmo Zumwalt. Admiral Leahy was appointed as the first CNO and served in this position until 1919. His leadership helped to shape the Navy’s organization and operations during World War I.

Admiral Zumwalt, while a significant figure in the Navy, particularly known for his modernization efforts and initiatives during the Vietnam War, was not the first to hold the title of CNO. It's important to understand the context of each admiral’s contributions to the Navy to appreciate the history and evolution of naval leadership roles.

The other choices reflect important figures in naval history, but none were the first to serve in this particular capacity.