Victor Minella has served in the Navy as an enlisted Sailor, an officer, a civilian and a Senior Executive Service member for nearly four decades. He is performing the duties of Under Secretary of the Navy, which he assumed Jan. 22, 2025.

The Under Secretary of the Navy serves as the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Management Officer of the Department of the Navy (DON), responsible for providing oversight and developing policy for defense and naval strategy, intelligence and intelligence-related activities, sensitive activities, special access programs, space activities, critical infrastructure, small business programs, and the naval audit service. Additionally, the Under Secretary is responsible for business operations, performance management, and risk management within the Department of Navy.

Mr. Minella became the Deputy Under Secretary of the Navy (Intelligence and Security) in July 2022 and continues to serve as the principal civilian advisor to the Secretary of the Navy on Intelligence, Sensitive Activities, Special Operations, and Irregular Warfare. As the DON Security Executive/Senior Agency Official, he also leads the DON Security Enterprise to include industrial, information, operations, and physical security, as well as insider threat.

In 1987, Mr. Minella enlisted in the Navy as a Hospital Corpsman, where he served as an Aerospace Physiology and Water Survival Instructor, Navy Diver, and Parachutist. Following his selection to the Navy Enlisted Commissioning Program, he graduated with honors from the University of Mississippi in 1997 and was commissioned as a naval officer. Afterwards, he served as an Unmanned Aviation System (UAS) Mission Commander and Detachment Avionics Division Chief conducting Navy Intelligence, Reconnaissance and Surveillance operations. He also supported Navy Research, Development and Acquisition efforts through Operational Test and Evaluation of next generation UAS platforms. He served aboard the USS Independence (CV 62), and as an Intelligence Officer with the Chief of Naval Operations-Intelligence Plot (Pentagon) and U.S. Pacific Command.

He retired from naval service in 2008 and then joined the department as a Navy civilian. In 2016, Mr. Minella became a member of the DON Senior Executive Service.

He is the recipient of numerous civilian and military awards, to include the 2023 Presidential Rank Award, the DON Distinguished Civilian Service Award and two DON Superior Civilian Service Awards.

Last Updated: 31 January 2025