WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today released the following statement after Secretary of Defense Ashton B. Carter announced the President’s intention to nominate General Mark A. Milley to serve as Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army and Admiral John M. Richardson to serve as Chief of Naval Operations (CNO):

“The President has chosen a pair of strong, highly capable, and effective leaders to serve in these key posts.  General Milley and Admiral Richardson both bring strong operational qualifications, personnel, and budgetary experience to the table.

“General Milley is an outstanding choice.  As commanding general of U.S. Army Forces Command he has led the effort to prepare our soldiers for combat.  He also served admirably as commander of the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command in Afghanistan.  He is the right person to lead our Army and help guide our forces into the future.

“I have had the opportunity to work closely with Admiral John Richardson and I enthusiastically support his nomination.  As a commander of our submarine forces and the director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, Admiral Richardson knows the importance of ensuring our forces have a technological and warfighting edge.  He has the knowledge and leadership skills to lead the Navy at this critical time.

“Both these officers have big shoes to fill.  Their predecessors, General Odierno and Admiral Greenert, are extraordinary patriots who served with great distinction.

“I look forward to working with General Milley and Admiral Richardson as we continue to shape our national defense strategy and protect America’s vital economic and national security interests.  I will work with Chairman McCain to ensure their respective nominations receive timely and thoughtful consideration.”

The Chief of Staff of the Army is the Army’s top uniformed officer.  The CNO is the Navy’s top uniformed officer. 

The Joint Chiefs of Staff consist of the Chairman, the Vice Chairman, the Chief of Staff of the Army, the Chief of Naval Operations, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, and the Chief of the National Guard Bureau.

Last week, President Obama nominated Marine Corps General Joseph F. Dunford Jr. as the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Air Force General Paul J. Selva to be the next vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

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