Budgeting for the Navy’s Warfighting Requirements and Capabilities

Presented by:

Mr. John Hootman

Assistant Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV N9B)

Mr. Hootman assumed his current position as the Assistant Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfighting Requirements and Capabilities (OPNAV N9B) in April 2024. In this capacity, Mr. Hootman acts as the principal advisor to Deputy, Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV N9) for determination of warfare requirements and the integration of naval warfare systems. Mr. Hootman also provides professional and technical advice on budget matters pertaining to naval warfare and exercises centralized coordination in the preparation and subsequent issuance of decisions on Navy programs and plans.

Mr. Hootman previously served as the Deputy Director of the Integrated Warfare Division (OPNAV N9IB). He led the integration and balance of S&T, R&D, procurement, fleet training, manpower, operations and sustainment across the expeditionary, surface, submarine, air, and digital warfare portfolios in the annual budgeting process.

Mr. Hootman’s first SES assignment was as the Deputy Director of the Surface Warfare Division (OPNAV N96B), where he supported the development, integration, and resourcing of a roughly $20 billion annual portfolio spanning the manpower, training, sustainment, modernization, and procurement requirements of the Navy's Surface Warfare systems (ships, weapons, combat systems, and sensors).

Prior to his appointment to the SES, Mr. Hootman served as the Deputy Branch Head of the Program Planning and Development Branch (“The Bullpen”) in the Programming Division (OPNAV N80). His primary responsibilities included overseeing the integration of all programming efforts for the US Navy’s ~$140B annual budget as well as the management of the Navy’s Program Budget Information System.

Prior to joining OPNAV, Mr. Hootman was the Deputy Ship Design Manager for LPD 17 Class New Construction (SEA 05D3) at the Naval Sea Systems Command.

Mr. Hootman received his BS in Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering from the Webb Institute and master’s degrees in Naval Architecture and Ocean Systems Management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.  He is a member of ASNE and SNAME and has been the author or co-author of 21 technical or professional publications. He is also a Volunteer Firefighter/EMT and former Fire Chief of the McLean Volunteer Fire Department, Fairfax County, VA. University.

Where: (In-person only) CACI, Maritime Plaza 1, 1201 M Street SE; Room 475

Date: Tuesday, 23 June 2026; 1130 - 1315 ET