Army Gen. Milley Formally Nominated to Be Next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs

ARLINGTON, Virginia — President Trump has formally nominated two generals to serve as the next chairman and vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

In an April 9 announcement, Acting Defense Secretary Patrick M. Shanahan said that Army Gen. Mark A. Milley had been nominated for “appointment to the rank of general and assignment as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.”

Shanahan also said that Air Force Gen. John E. Hyten had been nominated for appointment to the rank of general and assignment as Joint Chiefs vice chairman.

Milley serves as the Army chief of staff. Hyten is commander of U.S. Strategic Command. If confirmed by the Senate, they would replace Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr. and Air Force Gen. Paul J. Selva as chairman and vice chairman, respectively.

Shanahan announced two other nominations:

Trump has nominated Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Eric M. Smith for appointment to the rank of lieutenant general and assignment as deputy commandant for Combat Development and Integration, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, and commanding general, Marine Corps Combat Development Command. Smith serves as the commanding general, III Marine Expeditionary Force, and commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Japan, Okinawa. He would succeed Lt. Gen. David H. Berger, whose nomination to be the next commandant of the Marine Corps was announced March 27.

Air Force Maj. Gen. Eric T. Fick was nominated for appointment to the rank of lieutenant general and assignment as director, Joint Strike Fighter Program, Office of the Secretary of Defense. Fick serves as deputy director of the office. He would succeed Navy Vice Adm. Mathias W. Winter.