The U.S. and Global Security Review - Blog by Michael Novakhov

Marine Selected to Head Joint Chiefs Tuesday May 5 th , 2015  at  11:44 AM 1 Share President Obama  plans on Tuesday to name Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., a former top commander in Afghanistan who now serves as commandant of the Marine Corps, to be the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , according to officials briefed on the selection. If he is confirmed by the Senate, General Dunford, 59, will take over the top military leadership position at a time of daunting challenges for the armed forces. It would fall to him to complete Mr. Obama’s troop withdrawal from Afghanistan by the end of next year while prosecuting a grinding air war against the Islamic State. General Dunford would succeed Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, who is retiring after four years as the nation’s top general. General Dempsey was a favorite of the president’s and the go-to person at the Pentagon for White House officials who grew disenchanted with Chuck Hagel as defense secret