May 8, 2015

On May 5, President Obama announced new leadership for the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The president nominated Gen. Joseph Dunford, USMC, to be the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Gen. Paul Selva, USAF, to be the next Vice Chairman.

 

The nominations are two of the president’s most important national security advisors. They represent the top two senior ranking officers in the military and serve as senior military advisors to the president, the secretary of defense, and the National Security Council.

 

Dunford currently serves as the Commandant of the Marine Corps. In announcing Dunford’s nomination, Obama said “I know Joe. I trust him. Joe is a proven leader of our joint force … [h]e is one of our military’s most highly regarded strategic thinkers.”

 

Selva also brings considerable experience to the table, currently serving as the commander of U.S. Transportation Command. Previously, Selva served as the top military advisor to then Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton. The president said Selva “understands our military, as powerful as it is, is one tool that must be used in concert with all other elements of national power.”

 

Although the Senate must still confirm the two, Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), offered both men praise, indicating in a written statement that their confirmation should not be contentious.

 

With their confirmations expected in the next few months, Dunford and Selva will be taking the reins in an austere budget environment. With the Pentagon continuing to push cuts to pay and benefits, and Congress moving ahead with overhauling the military retirement system, MOAA hopes both men continue to look out for the best interest of the troops.

 

“It is important that these men stand up for the troops during the pressures of budget cuts,” said Col. Mike Barron, USA (Ret), deputy director for MOAA’s Government Relations Department.

 

MOAA looks forward to working with Generals Dunford and Selva in the future, and thanks them for the tremendous work they have done for our military.