Martin Dempsey Named Chairman Of Joint Chiefs Of Staff By Obama

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama moved Monday to complete an overhaul of his national security team, selecting Army Gen. Martin Dempsey as the next Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman amid a winding down of the war in Iraq, protracted battle in Afghanistan and U.S. assistance to the NATO-led effort against Libya's Moammar Gadhafi.

Obama announced a new lineup of his top military leadership group in the Rose Garden of the White House just before venturing across the Potomac to pay tribute to the nation's war dead at Arlington National Cemetery. The Memorial Day announcements had been expected, although there was no immediate indication what the military leadership moves might imply for possible changes in military policy.

WATCH:

Already, the president had turned, in late April, to CIA Director Leon Panetta to succeed Robert Gates and secretary of defense and chose to move Army Gen. David Petraeus from his command of the Afghanistan war effort to the United States to replace Panetta at the CIA.

Marine Gen. James Cartwright had long been rumored to be Obama's favorite, and the president singled him out for praise at the announcement. But he turned instead to Dempsey, an accomplished veteran of the Iraq war, to succeed Adm. Mike Mullen as his top military adviser, calling the Army officer "one of our nation's most respected and combat-tested generals."

The president also announced he has chosen Navy Adm. James Winnefeld to succeed Cartwright as vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs and Army Gen. Ray Odierno as his candidate to replace Dempsey as Army chief of staff.

The nominees have to be approved by the Senate, and Obama voiced hope that could happen in a timely fashion.

At the White House, Obama called America's servicemen and women "the best our nation has to offer, and they deserve nothing but the best in return, and that includes leaders."

Later on, Obama placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at the venerable Arlington burial grounds. And in a speech at the Arlington amphitheater in front of a flag-draped wall, the president, who had met earlier in the day with families of troops killed in war, said: "To those of you mourn the loss of a loved one today, my heart goes out to you."

"We remember that the blessings that we enjoy as Americans came at a dear cost," he said. "Our nation owes a debt to its fallen heroes that we cannot ever fully repay. But we can honor their sacrifice, and we must." After his remarks, Obama visited a section of the cemetery that is the final resting place for many veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Preceding Obama at the amphitheater, Gates said the country "must never forget" its men and women in the military.

"As I come to the end of my time in this post," Gates said, " ... I will keep these brave patriots and their families in my heart and in my prayers."

Dempsey, who began a four-year term as Army chief of staff on April 11, will have to be confirmed by the Senate, as will Winnefeld and Odierno.

Appearing in a nationally broadcast interview Monday morning, Mullen said he was encouraged about reports the Pakistani government is launching a major offensive against militants in the North Waziristan area near the border with Pakistan. "It's a very important fight and a very important operation," he said.

Mullen also said he has perceived strong support among the American people for American servicemen and women and said he's grateful for that. He said he doesn't want to see a "disconnect" between the uniformed men and women and the population at large.

Asked if a change of guard at the Joint Chiefs meant a change of strategy in Afghanistan, he replied, "We obviously have added these forces ... and we've really seen progress on the security side. ... We will sustain losses as we have in the last few days. ... That said, I am confident that by the end of the year, we'll be in a much, much better position."

He said he hopes the public understands "the depth of sacrifice" made by servicemen and women.

Mullen appeared on ABC's "Good Morning America," CBS's "The Early Show" and NBC's "Today" show.

Comments

[cdiasmd]

02:56 PM on 05/31/2011

Petraeus, Dempsey and Alexander...all West Point class of 74. Some stuff will get done a lot faster now.

[Tidyus]

01:16 PM on 05/31/2011

Can't get Petraeus out of Afghanistan soon enough. US soldier Casualties and wounded have gone up 00 since this guy went in there. McCrystal did a far better job of saving the lives and limbs of GIs and cutting down on civilian casualties. That said, US never should have been in there and ought to get out right now.

[Tidyus]

10:57 PM on 05/31/2011

I wrote gone up 00 in the above. I guess I hit a wrong key or someone is doing some editing.

[Barbara DeZan]

10:30 AM on 05/31/2011

Finally.....

A Soldier in that position instead of a darned political wonk.

[deltalady]

11:43 AM on 05/31/2011

The same thing was said about Petraus. I don't trust any of these guys. Their JOB is WAR, not peace. We're going to continue to support "the NATO" led fight against Libya. Yea, right. Liars and war criminals...the whole bunch, including Obama, with his drone attacks against the innocent. America has become the goose stepping invader, instead of the beacon of freedom and justice. It matters not whom the president appoints or fires, his job is to keep this bloody horror going for as long as the money is rolling in.

[Barbara DeZan]

12:17 PM on 05/31/2011

Petraeus is a great soldier...and did a fine job. Dempsey is an excellent soldier who came up on his own bootstraps and has served his country well.

Don't we wish we could survive with no military at all? You bet. But, man has made war since homo sapiens first stood upright...and will continue to do so. Our country needs good military leaders just as we need strong leadership in other areas.

We continue to be in the NATO action per treaty.....we signed on to it years ago. Like it or not, treaties exist and musts be honored.....else, we could withdraw from NATO, the UN and other organizations and try to stand alone.

Won't work...not as long as man runs things.....there will be war...and aggresors....

And, I remind you that Obama has removed 130,000 troops from Iraq and Afghan drawdown starts this summer.

While Obama didn't start these nasty wars...he must complete them. It's part of the job description......

[Ben Randle]

10:23 AM on 05/31/2011

US wants Pakistan to eliminate the Haqqani network -- which is based in North Waziristan and is one of its fiercest enemies just across the border in Afghanistan -- in any North Waziristan operation. This is the reason that frequent drone strikes are directed against this region. On the other hand, Pakistan’s major problem is rooted in the South Waziristan agency, a safe haven of TTP which has so far played havoc in Pakistan by targeting thousands of innocent civilians and security interests. It is for this reason that while the Pakistani military has launched major offensives in other regions in its unruly tribal belt, it has been hesitant to attack North Waziristan, which could pose the biggest risk. But what a turn of events. A man who was called a saint by Charlie Wilson and was invited to the White House is today a target of US military might. Read more at: http://pksecurity.blogspot.com/2011/05/haqqani-network-story-of-charlie.html

[FR]

10:22 AM on 05/31/2011

Let's see what the (R)s can come up with to smear this guy.
Thinking points were slow out the starting gate ... I see only generic "lib" comments.
Thinking points in ... 5 ...4 ... 3 ... 2 ... 1 ....

[getoffmedz]

10:06 AM on 05/31/2011

Marin Dempsey has the opportunity to be the next Dwight Eisenhower.

[Lisa Hill-Johnson]

09:37 AM on 05/31/2011

Did anyone know that General Cartwright was investigated for inappropriate behavior? Allegedly there was a female Marine aide in his bedroom, inebriated (for those who don't understand what that means - it means drunk) who spent the night in his hotel room. He was found to have not conducted himself properly but it was removed from his official record. I believe that is the reason why General Cartwright was not chosen.

[LiberalAlarge]

02:59 PM on 05/31/2011

I wasn't aware of any inappropriate behavior on his part. The republicans wasted no time in criticizing the president for the appointment of GEN Dempsey. These republicans need to understad that Fox is not, and will not be an arm of information in "facts we trust". If the president appointed Cartwright and the republicans knew about his inappropriate behavior "providing is truth" the republican would engaged in a malicious campaign to discredit his presidency. Inappropiate behavior in the military could ends or halt careers. If indeed truth, the president once again has made the right decision.

[tinsldr2]

08:31 AM on 05/31/2011

Gen O'dierno is only one on the list I know.

I don't see major changes from him as he is in much the same mold as Gen Casey, having had similar career paths.

I do not like Panetta to Sec Def. Petraeus to CIA was a good move.

As for effect on the war strategy or running of the war, the Chief of Staff's are not the ones that really do that. They offer some advice on the plans of the CENTCOM commander (In the case of Middle east fights or Europe Fights). The Chiefs are more about manning, budgeting, organization, direction and overall doctrinal changes of the overall Army.

[LiberalAlarge]

02:44 PM on 05/31/2011

First, Sir, let me correct you on the Gen's name. Its not O'dierno It is Odierno. Spanish and Italian surnames from latin ( hodiernus ). That being said, he is not Irish. I served under Odierno in Saudi Arabia 1991 and again at Ft Hood, Tx 1996. The CENTCOM commander answer to the secretary of defense who in turns answer to the president. The chief of staff will advise (G-2) the secretary of defense on formulation, planning, programming, budgeting, management among other areas, to include the five beasts of intellegence, Imagery Intelligence, Signals Intelligence, Human Intelligence, Measurement and Signature Intelligence, and Counterintelligence and Security Countermeasures. I don't know Cassey but I know Odierno and I know he is a great pick for the position considering the five beasts. I didn't want to see Odierno stuck in an office at Mcdill AFB. Too much talent to hide. I agreed with you except on his name. CSM ret.

[tinsldr2]

03:36 PM on 05/31/2011

You are correct on the name Spelling CSM, no excuse for my sloppiness. I stand corrected

I was a staff officer for Gen Casey when he was the 1 AD Assistant Div Commander, then again when he was the 1 AD Div Commander and then when he was in charge of Iraq when I went over there as a field grade Staff Officer.

He had a way of being very direct and telling you what he needed and what the standard was but in a likable way. I respected him.

Something many of the "civilians" wont understand but you will about his wife. My wife was volunteering at the thrift shop while I was in kosovo. She worked with a lady she liked a lot named "Shiela" whose husband was a Senior officer and she always made jokes about her husband doing typical husband dumb things. But after a few months my wife still did not know what Shiela's husband did. One day my wife said the husband's name was Casey and did I know him. I asked her if she meant the Div Commander and my wife was said "oh, maybe." Point being it was a 'Class Act' of Ms Casey not to 'wear her husbands rank' and was a credit to him and her for the type of people they were.

[Fi]

04:29 AM on 05/31/2011

I love your C in C America, he's a great guy.

[Robgrut]

09:27 AM on 05/31/2011

You must be a Muslim. He hates America too.

[Fi]

09:43 AM on 05/31/2011

You are wrong, I am not a Muslim, or anything religious at all, but thank you for taking the time to humiliate yourself.

[CessnaDriverI72]

04:23 AM on 05/31/2011

In Ike's 1950 Army Chief of Staff official photo he only wore 3-4 ribbons.

[rambot02]

09:20 AM on 05/31/2011

Military bling inflation.

[CessnaDriverI72]

02:14 PM on 05/31/2011

Outstanding!

For some reason, HP won't let me have a micro-bio. I think I am on a list.

[cdiasmd]

03:00 PM on 05/31/2011

Some GO/FOs opt to wear only their top three ribbons. By regulations it was permitted.

[CessnaDriverI72]

04:24 PM on 05/31/2011

How about now? Last I heard you weren't required to wear all of your ribbons.

[Ylmaz Kaba]

04:21 AM on 05/31/2011

President Bush? The President has every right to place servicemem­bers that support his views into these positions.
http://news12.blog.ac/2011/05/31/martin-dempsey-named-chairman/

[dtruckdrivinfool]

11:19 PM on 05/30/2011

So the real question remains, why has the entire Staff been changed? Obama has cleaned house after what some would call a successful period of engagements, why?

[Lash LaRue]

11:21 PM on 05/30/2011

Gates's departure was long planned from the start. I suspect with most of the rest they stayed to maintain continuity.

[hhijena]

11:38 PM on 05/30/2011

Presidents typically make changes at the top. Obama has waited. That's all.

[thatgirljd]

11:09 PM on 05/30/2011

Libs, Americas biggest problem!

[Lash LaRue]

11:16 PM on 05/30/2011

Dubya was Americas biggest problem

[InYourWorld]

12:02 AM on 05/31/2011

Seems like his 3rd term lately doesn't it?

[hhijena]

11:39 PM on 05/30/2011

Your problem, not the rest of the country

[kayakman]

11:04 PM on 05/30/2011

I'm surprised our diddler-in-chief didn't forgo a regular military chairman and simply turn the country's defenses over to yet another CZAR. I mean, he's already got 30-some of his commie buddies running key parts of the government. There's even a CZAR to handle the dangers of Asian Carp.

[Lash LaRue]

11:17 PM on 05/30/2011

I know you _hate he bagged OBL, after W just gave up on him.

[greyK]

03:35 AM on 05/31/2011

Reagan had CZAR's they all do.

[Tinybugg]

10:44 PM on 05/30/2011

Why go back