News>Obama nominates Dempsey as JCS chairman, Winnefeld as vice chairman
Photos
President Barack Obama announced Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey as his choice as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during a Rose Garden ceremony May 30, 2011. Here, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, speaks with General Dempsey May 29 prior to the 2011 National Memorial Day Concert at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. (Defense Department photo/Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley)
5/30/2011 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- President Barack Obama announced his choices as chairman and vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff May 30 during a Rose Garden ceremony.
Obama intends to nominate Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey as chairman and Navy Adm. James A. Winnefeld as vice chairman. General Dempsey is currently the Army chief of staff and Admiral Winnefeld is the commander of U.S. Northern Command.
General Dempsey will replace Adm. Mike Mullen when his term ends September 30, and Admiral Winnefeld will replace Marine Gen. James Cartwright when his term ends in July.
The president intends to nominate Gen. Ray Odierno to succeed General Dempsey at the Army post.
The Senate must approve the nominations and the president called on the body to act expeditiously so the military transition will be "seamless."
