President Joe Biden has defied his own secretary of defense in his latest nomination for a high-ranking military command.

Biden overruled the Pentagon and chose Adm. Lisa Franchetti to become the Navy’s first female chief and, if she’s confirmed, the first woman to hold a post on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Fox News reported on Friday.

Biden’s decision stands in contrast to the advice given by his Defense Secretary, Lloyd Austin, who reportedly suggested that the president choose Adm. Samuel Paparo, the current commander of the Navy’s Pacific Fleet, multiple reports confirmed.

In a statement issued on Friday, Biden highlighted that Franchetti’s appointment is groundbreaking for a high-level military position, as it is unprecedented for someone of her sex. He emphasized that she was only the second woman ever to attain the prestigious rank of four-star admiral in the Navy.

“As our next chief of naval operations, Admiral Lisa Franchetti will bring 38 years of dedicated service to our nation as a commissioned officer, including in her current role of vice chief of naval operations,” Biden continued. “Throughout her career, Admiral Franchetti has demonstrated extensive expertise in both the operational and policy arenas.”

Throughout her tenure, Franchetti has held several key positions, including commanding two aircraft carrier strike groups in the Pacific and serving as the commander of U.S. Naval Forces Korea, deputy chief of naval operations for warfighting development, and director for strategy, plans, and policy of the Joint Staff.

While heading the 6th Fleet, she played a crucial role in overseeing the Navy’s response to Syrian President Bashar al Assad’s use of chemical weapons, Fox News reported.

Despite recommending Paparo, Austin praised Biden’s selection, saying, “I’m very proud that Admiral Franchetti has been nominated to be the first woman chief of naval operations and member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, where she will continue to inspire all of us.”

Fox News added: “Biden nominated Austin’s preferred choice, Paparo, to be the commander of Indo-Pacific Command. Meanwhile, the president also tapped Vice Adm. James Kilby to be the vice chief of the Navy and Vice Adm. Stephen Koehler to head the Pacific Fleet.”

Franchetti’s confirmation could potentially be delayed, as Senator Tommy Tuberville, R-Alabama, is currently holding up the confirmations of several other general and flag officers. His action is in protest of a Defense Department policy that covers travel expenses when a service member or their dependents travel out of the state to obtain an abortion.