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In this handout photo provided by the U.S. Navy, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus (L) and Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Jonathan Greenert (R) applaud Adm. Michelle Howard (C) on her promotion to the rank of admiral at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial on July 1, 2014 in Washington, D.C. Howard is the first woman to be promoted to the rank of admiral in the history of the Navy and will assume the duties and responsibilities as the 38th Vice Chief of Naval Operations from Adm. Mark Ferguson. (Photo by Peter D. Lawlor/U.S. Navy via Getty Images) ( 140701-N-WL435-270 )

In a Photo provided by the U.S. Navy, Adm. Michelle Howard, right, lends a hand to Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus as he and Wayne Cowles, Howard's husband, put four-star shoulder boards on Howard's service white uniform during her promotion ceremony at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial in Washington Tuesday July 1, 2014. Howard is the first woman to be promoted to the rank of admiral in the history of the Navy and will assume the duties and responsibilities as the 38th Vice Chief of Naval Operations from Adm. Mark Ferguson. (AP Photo/ Chief Mass Communication Specialist Peter D. Lawlor) ( First Woman Admiral )

Chairman's Award honoree United States Navy Vice Admiral Michelle Janine Howard attends the 44th NAACP Image Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on February 1, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for NAACP Image Awards) ( 160613364RM00017_44th_NAACP )

US President Barack Obama is greeted by Vice Admiral Michelle Howard (2nd-L), Deputy Commander US Fleet Forces Command, and Captain David Culler, Commanding Officer Naval Station Norfolk, upon arrival at Naval Air Station Norfolk September, 4, 2012 in Norfolk, Virginia. Obama was headed to Norfolk, Virginia to attend a campaign rally at the Norfolk University. (MANDEL NGAN/AFP/GettyImages) ( Was6854136 )

NAACP Chairman of the National Board of Directors Roslyn M. Brock and United States Navy Vice Admiral Michelle Janine Howard, recipient of the Chairman's Award, poses in the press room during the 44th NAACP Image Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on February 1, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images for NAACP Image Awards) ( 160613476SM00016_44th_NAACP )

In this photo made available by Navy Visual News, Rear Adm. Michelle Howard remarks on her time in service, during her frocking ceremony Friday, April 20, 2007 at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. Howard is the first female graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy to be promoted to Rear Admiral. (AP Photo/Navy Visual News, Chief Petty Officer Shawn P. Eklund) ( HOWARD FROCKING CEREMON )

United States Navy Vice Admiral Michelle Janine Howard, recipient of the Chairman's Award, poses in the press room during the 44th NAACP Image Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on February 1, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images for NAACP Image Awards) ( 160613476SM00015_44th_NAACP )

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus,left, congratulates Adm. Michelle Howard after putting on her fourth star during her promotion ceremony at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial in Washington Tuesday July 1, 2014. Howard is the first woman to be promoted to the rank of admiral in the history of the Navy and will assume the duties and responsibilities as the 38th Vice Chief of Naval Operations from Adm. Mark Ferguson. Howard's husband Wayne Cowles is at right. (AP Photo/ Chief Mass Communication Specialist Peter D. Lawlor) ( First Woman Admiral )

Honoree Rear Admiral Michelle Howard speaks onstage at the USO 45th Annual Woman Of The Year Luncheon honoring Military Women and Women Business Leaders at the Grand Ballroom at The Waldorf=Astoria on April 26, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for USO of Metro New York) ( 64466976 )

(L-R) Sergeant Sara Bryant, Honorees Rear Admiral Michelle Howard and President and CEO BAE Systems Inc Linda Parker Hudson attend the USO 45th Annual Woman Of The Year Luncheon honoring Military Women and Women Business Leaders at the Grand Ballroom at The Waldorf=Astoria on April 26, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for USO of Metro New York) ( 64467072 )

(L-R) Rita Cosby, Miss USA Rima Fakih, Captain Wendy Sue Buckingham, Oliver Mendell and Rear Admiral Michelle Howard attend the USO 45th Annual Woman Of The Year Luncheon honoring Military Women and Women Business Leaders at the Grand Ballroom at The Waldorf=Astoria on April 26, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for USO of Metro New York) ( 64467499 )

This photo provided by the U.S. Navy shows Michelle Janine Howard, promoted July 1, 2014, making her the Navy's first female four-star admiral. She will serve as the vice chief of naval operations, which makes her the No. 2 admiral in the Navy behind Gen. Jonathan Greenert, the chief of naval operations. (AP Photo/U.S. Navy, Monica A. King) ( Female Admiral )

(L-R) Clarice Joynes, Sara Bryant, Patrick Condren, Linda Parker Hudson, Rear Admiral Michelle Howard and Commissioner of the mayor's office of Veterans' Affairs for New York City Terrance Holliday attend the USO 45th Annual Woman Of The Year Luncheon honoring Military Women and Women Business Leaders at the Grand Ballroom at The Waldorf=Astoria on April 26, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for USO of Metro New York) ( 64468515 )

Chairman's Award honoree United States Navy Vice Admiral Michelle Janine Howard poses in the press room during the 44th NAACP Image Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on February 1, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images for NAACP Image Awards) ( 160613476CC00037_44th_NAACP )