Obama Announces Joint Chiefs Picks

Politico reports:

President Barack Obama said Monday that he is nominating Army Gen. Martin Dempsey as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, calling him “one of our nation’s most respected and combat-tested generals.”

“Having trained Iraqi forces, he knows nations must take responsibility for their own security In Iraq,” Obama said in a Memorial Day announcement in the Rose Garden. “He understands that in Iraq and Afghanistan, security gains and political progress must go hand in hand.”

“I expect him to push all our forces to continue adapting and innovating to be ready for the missions of today and tomorrow,” Obama added.

Dempsey’s name emerged last week as Obama’s pick to succeed Adm. Mike Mullen, who is set to retire at the end of September. The president also nominated Adm. James “Sandy” Winnefeld, the head of Northern Command, as vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Gen. Ray Odierno, who leads the Joint Forces Command, to replace Dempsey as Army chief of staff.

“The men and women of our armed forces are the best our nation has to offer, and they deserve nothing but the absolute best in return — that includes leaders who will guide them … with wisdom, strength and compassion,” Obama said. “I found these qualities in the leaders who will complete our team at the Pentagon and whom I’m proud to announce today.”

Defense Secretary Robert Gates — who will leave his post at the end of June — and White House national security adviser Tom Donilon also attended the announcement.