Obama Nominates Dempsey as Chairman, Winnefeld as Vice Chairman

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 30, 2011 – President Barack Obama announced his choices as chairman and vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during a Rose Garden ceremony today.

President Barack Obama announced Army Gen. Martine 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 Dempsey prior to the 2011 National Memorial Day Concert at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., May 29, 2011.    (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

Obama intends to nominate Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey as chairman and Navy Adm. James A. Winnefeld as vice chairman. Dempsey is currently the Army chief of staff and Winnefeld is the commander of U.S. Northern Command.

Dempsey will replace Navy Adm. Mike Mullen when his term ends September 30, and Winnefeld will replace Marine Gen. James “Hoss” Cartwright when his term ends in July.

The president intends to nominate Gen. Ray Odierno to succeed 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.”