Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

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Admiral Michael Mullen, USN, 17th and current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (2007–).
Admiral Michael Mullen, USN, 17th and current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (2007–).

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) is by law the highest ranking military officer of the United States Armed Forces, and the principal military adviser to the President of the United States. He leads the meetings and coordinates the efforts of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), comprising the Chairman, the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Chiefs of Staff of the United States Army and United States Air Force, the Chief of Naval Operations, and the Commandant of the United States Marine Corps. The Joint Chiefs of Staff have offices in The Pentagon.

Although the office of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is considered very important and highly prestigious, neither the Chairman nor the Joint Chiefs of Staff as a body have any command authority over combatant forces. The chain of command runs from the President to the Secretary of Defense directly to the commanders of the several combatant commands. However, the Chairman may transmit communications to the commanders of the combatant commands from the President and Secretary of Defense.

Fleet Admiral William D. Leahy, USN, served as Chief of Staff to the Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy (July 20, 1942–March 21, 1949). Leahy's office was the precursor to the post of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The Chairman is nominated by the President for appointment and must be confirmed via majority vote by the Senate. By statute, the Chairman is appointed as a four-star officer.

Name Photo Branch Term began Term ended
1. FADM William D. Leahy               USN July 20, 1942       March 21, 1949       

Name Photo Branch Term began Term ended
1. GA Omar N. Bradley USA August 16, 1949 August 15, 1953
2. ADM Arthur W. Radford USN August 15, 1953 August 15, 1957
3. Gen Nathan F. Twining USAF August 15, 1957 September 30, 1960
4. GEN Lyman L. Lemnitzer USA October 1, 1960 September 30, 1962
5. GEN Maxwell D. Taylor USA October 1, 1962 July 1, 1964
6. GEN Earle G. Wheeler USA July 3, 1964 July 2, 1970
7. ADM Thomas H. Moorer USN July 2, 1970 July 1, 1974
8. Gen George S. Brown USAF July 1, 1974 June 20, 1978
9. Gen David C. Jones USAF June 21, 1978 June 18, 1982
10. GEN John W. Vessey Jr. USA June 18, 1982 September 30, 1985
11. ADM William J. Crowe, Jr. USN October 1, 1985 September 30, 1989
12. GEN Colin L. Powell USA October 1, 1989 September 30, 1993
(acting) ADM David E. Jeremiah USN October 1, 1993 October 24, 1993
13. GEN John M. Shalikashvili USA October 25, 1993 September 30, 1997
14. GEN Henry H. Shelton USA October 1, 1997 September 30, 2001
15. Gen Richard B. Myers USAF October 1, 2001 September 30, 2005
16. Gen Peter Pace USMC October 1, 2005 September 30, 2007
17. ADM Michael Mullen USN October 1, 2007 Incumbent

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
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Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Bradley • Radford • Twining • Lemnitzer • Taylor • Wheeler • Moorer • Brown • Jones • Vessey • Crowe • Powell • Jeremiah (acting) • Shalikashvili • Shelton • Myers • Pace • Mullen JCS Seal
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