WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement in response to the President’s nomination of General Joseph Dunford to be the next Chairman and General Paul Selva to be the next Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff: 

“Our country, along with our allies and partners abroad, face serious threats that require serious leadership," Senator King said. “I believe General Dunford is the right leader to be the next Chairman, and that he will build on General Dempsey’s significant accomplishments. He is one of the most impressive officers I've met during my time in the Senate, and his service in Iraq and Afghanistan will be invaluable as our country continues to deal with security challenges in those regions. I have also worked with General Paul Selva and welcome his nomination to be the next Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.  I look forward to the prompt consideration of their nominations by the Senate Armed Services Committee.”

As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, King has met with Dunford and Selva on multiple occasions and questioned them in committee hearings. If confirmed, General Dunford will replace General Martin Dempsey later this year as the highest-ranking member of the U.S. military, and General Selva will replace Admiral Sandy Winnefeld as the Vice Chairman.

General Dunford currently serves as the commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, and is a combat-tested leader. He previously served as the top U.S. military commander in Afghanistan from 2013-14, and led the 5^th Marine Regiment during the invasion of Iraq. General Paul Selva currently serves as the Commander of U.S. Transportation Command and has had a distinguished air mobility career in the U.S. Air Force.

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