The Navy confirmed that Capt. Amy Bauernschmidt, a 1994 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, has been chosen to assume command of USS Abraham Lincoln. She is slated to take the helm next summer after completing the required nuclear power, aviation, and leadership training that all aircraft carrier commanding officers must finish prior to assuming command.

Bauernschmidt’s selection represents a historic milestone for the Navy and for women in the service. The designation makes her the first woman to be named commanding officer of one of the Navy’s nuclear-powered aircraft carriers — a distinct category in the fleet that demands specialized technical understanding of nuclear propulsion systems as well as the operational experience to oversee airwing operations, a large crew, and complex at-sea missions.

Hailing from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Bauernschmidt has a long career in naval aviation and shipboard leadership. She was part of the first Naval Academy graduating class in which women were permitted to serve aboard combatant ships and aircraft. After earning her commission, she became a Naval Aviator in 1996 and later held command roles that included leading the “Spartans” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 70 and commanding the amphibious transport dock USS San Diego (LPD-22).

“I am incredibly honored and humbled to be selected,” Bauernschmidt said following the announcement. “I love leading Sailors and I take that responsibility extremely seriously.” Her words reflect the weight of command at sea, where the commanding officer is responsible for the safety, readiness, and professional development of thousands of Sailors as well as the operational effectiveness of the ship and its embarked air wing.

This assignment is not Bauernschmidt’s first “first.” She previously served as the first woman executive officer aboard an aircraft carrier when she filled that role aboard Abraham Lincoln from 2016 to 2019. That experience gave her direct exposure to carrier operations, the unique demands of large-deck aviation platforms, and the leadership requirements needed to run a carrier strike group’s central asset.

The Nimitz-class USS Abraham Lincoln is one of the Navy’s nuclear-powered carriers, a class designed for sustained, long-range operations that rely on nuclear propulsion for endurance and power. Commanding such a vessel requires not only aviation expertise but also technical knowledge of nuclear propulsion systems and an ability to coordinate across diverse departments — engineering, operations, air, logistics, and more.

Selection for carrier command follows a deliberate process that evaluates an officer’s operational record, leadership performance, and readiness to take on the complex task of commanding a capital ship. The required training programs—nuclear power qualification, advanced carrier-specific aviation training, and leadership development courses—prepare commanding officers for the technical, tactical, and human dimensions of life at the top of a carrier’s chain of command.

Bauernschmidt’s appointment is likely to be seen as a significant step in the Navy’s continued integration of women into its highest operational roles. As more leadership billets open to qualified officers of all backgrounds, milestones like this reflect both individual achievement and a broader cultural change within the service.

When she assumes command next summer, Capt. Bauernschmidt will lead a vessel central to carrier strike group operations, responsible for mission execution, the welfare of her crew, and maintaining the ship’s systems and operational readiness. The announcement underscored the Navy’s continued emphasis on rigorous training and demonstrated performance as the path to its most consequential leadership assignments.