Defense Secretary Ash Carter offered his congratulations to Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford and Air Force Gen. Paul J. Selva on their respective confirmations as the chairman and vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
“Both have proven their mettle throughout their careers -- from General Dunford's first years as an infantryman to his leadership both in Afghanistan and of the Marine Corps, and from General Selva's early days as a pilot to his leadership of our military's transportation command,” Carter said in a statement released today.
The defense secretary said he looks forward to working closely with the defense leaders in their new roles, adding, “President [Barack] Obama and I -- and our nation's security -- will benefit greatly from their sage counsel and strategic perspective gained over years of operational experience.”
Dunford will become the nation’s 19th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, succeeding Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, and Selva, who will succeed Navy Adm. James A. Winnefeld, will become the 10th vice chairman.
“We will pay full tribute to our current chairman and vice chairman in short order, but today, on behalf of this department and its men and women in uniform, I thank General Dempsey and Admiral Winnefeld for their decades of dedicated service to our country,” Carter said.
“They provided the president and me with sound advice and steadfast leadership, keeping the nation secure and helping make sure our military remains the finest fighting force the world has ever known,” he said. “For that, our nation is ever grateful.”