President Trump named Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley to become the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs, replacing Gen. Joseph Dunford as the Pentagon’s top military officer.

Mr. Trump made the announcement on Twitter Saturday morning.

I am pleased to announce my nomination of four-star General Mark Milley, Chief of Staff of the United States Army – as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, replacing General Joe Dunford, who will be retiring…. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 8, 2018

Gen. Milley, who was appointed to the top Army job by President Obama in 2015, will likely replace Gen. Dunford when the four-star Marine Corps general’s term ends next year, the New York Times reported Friday.

Gen. Milley has held command assignments with the 82nd Airborne Division, 101st Airborne Division, 5th Special Forces Group and III Corps. He served three combat command tours in Iraq and was the head of International Security Assistance Force command, the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan.

Mr. Trump is expected to make the official announcement of Gen. Milley’s appointment during the annual Army-Navy football game on Saturday. He told reporters at the White House Friday that he was nearing a decision, hinting at a big announcement planned for Saturday’s game in Philadelphia.

Mr. Trump had requested Gen. Dunford, who was also nominated as chairman by Mr. Obama, to stay on for a second term at the Pentagon. Gen. Dunford’s renomination was approved by the Senate last September.

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