The Senate easily confirmed Army Gen. Mark Milley on Thursday to be the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs, The Hill reported.
The Senate voted 89-1 to confirm Milley as the nation’s top military officer and succeed Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford whose term as Joint Chiefs chairman closes at the end of September.
“I am humbled and honored to be confirmed as the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,” Milley said in a statement. “Thank you to the president and the Senate for their confidence. I have been privileged to serve as chief of staff of the Army these last four years and look forward to the opportunity to continue working alongside the soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, Dept. of Defense civilians and families serving our nation’s military.”
The Senate has moved quickly this week to confirm top Pentagon nominees for roles that have lacked permanent officials for months. On Tuesday the upper chamber confirmed Secretary of Defense Mark Esper to became DOD’s first permanent chief since January.
The Senate Armed Services Committee also Thursday advanced DOD Comptroller and Acting Deputy Defense Secretary David Norquist’s nomination to the full Senate for his vote to become the permanent deputy secretary, Roll Call reported.
Norquist completed his confirmation hearing Wednesday and could be confirmed next week before the Senate adjourns for its August recess.
Air Force Gen. John Hyten’s nomination to become the next vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs was also expected to move forward Thursday after SASC members interviewed him in private, Military Times reported.
Hyten, currently chief of the U.S. Strategic Command, met with the committee to defend himself against recently resurfaced allegations of sexual harassment, according to the report.
Army photo by Spc. Dana Clarke