PHILADELPHIA -- On a frigid afternoon in Philadelphia, President Donald Trump stood with his next top military advisor prior to the annual Army-Navy football game.
Trump selected Gen. Mark A. Milley, chief of Staff of the Army, as the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In a morning tweet preceding the annual Army-Navy game, Trump tweeted his nomination of Milley.
"I am pleased to announce my nomination of four-star Gen. Mark Milley, chief of Staff of the United States Army -- as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, replacing Gen. Joe Dunford, who will be retiring," the president tweeted. "I am thankful to both of these incredible men for their service to our Country!"
If confirmed by the Senate, Milley would succeed Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford, who has served in the position since September 2015. Dunford will step down in September 2019. Trump said the date of transition is "to be determined." Milley would be the 20th man to hold the position since General of the Army Omar N. Bradley in 1949.
Milley flanked Trump at midfield as the president officiated the coin toss prior to the Army-Navy rivalry game held at Lincoln Financial Field Saturday.
Milley, a Massachusetts native and Princeton graduate, has served as the Army's 39th chief of staff since 2015. Previously, Milley commanded the U.S. Army Forces command at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Milley served as commander in several forward-deployed combat environments including a tour in Baghdad, Iraq, where he commanded the 1st Cavalry Division and 3rd Infantry Division. Milley also deployed to Afghanistan as the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command and deputy commanding general of U.S. Forces.
Milley attended the pregame festivities and attempted to rally the Army cadets before the contest.