Army Gen. Martin Dempsey To Lead Joint Chiefs

POLITICO reports:

President Barack Obama on Monday will name Army Gen. Martin Dempsey as the new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, administration sources said, a quick promotion for the experienced combat leader, who took over as the Army’s top general less than two months ago.

The White House on Saturday scheduled a 10 a.m. announcement in the Rose Garden with Obama, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and national security adviser Tom Donilon in between previously scheduled Memorial Day activities at the World War II memorial and the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery.

Dempsey, a 1974 classmate of Afghan war commander Gen. David H. Petraeus at the U.S. Military Academy, would replace current chairman Adm. Mike Mullen, who is scheduled to retire at the end of September. He was a surprise choice – until last week, much of the focus has been on Marine Gen. James Cartwright, the current vice chairman. But Cartwright reportedly was not seen as a team player by his fellow generals and was also tarnished by concerns over his personal life.