The Senate Armed Services Committee announced Friday it will hold its confirmation hearing for Army Gen. Mark Milley to become the next Joint Chiefs chairman on July 11, after the panel’s return from the July 4 congressional recess.
Gen. Milley, who has served as the Army’s chief of staff since 2015, would replace Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford who finishes his term at the end of September.
The rotation in the Pentagon’s military leadership comes as DOD has been navigating recent transition in the agency’s senior civilian leadership.
Acting Defense Secretary Mark Esper, who previously served as Secretary of the Army, became DOD’s chief when the White House appointed him to the post after former Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan unexpectedly resigned in June.
Esper’s selection to lead DOD has been received with positive reviews from both sides of the aisle, according to The Hill.
The Senate’s Armed Services Chair James Inhofe (R-Okla.) has lauded Esper as having a very good relationship with the troops and House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith (D-Wash.) has been pleased with Esper’s selection to lead DOD.
Though the White House has announced it intends to nominate Esper to become the Pentagon’s permanent chief, it has yet to send the formal paperwork to the Senate.
Army photo by Spc. Dana Clarke
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