Chief of Staff of the United States Army (original) (raw)

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Senior-most officer and service chief of the United States Army

Chief of Staff of the Army
Army Staff Identification Badge
Flag of the Chief of Staff
IncumbentGeneral Randy A. Georgesince 21 September 2023
Department of the ArmyArmy Staff
Type United States Army service chief
Abbreviation CSA
Member of Joint Chiefs of Staff
Reports to Secretary of the Army
Residence Quarters 1, Fort Myer
Seat The Pentagon, Arlington County, Virginia
Appointer The Presidentwith Senate advice and consent
Term length 4 yearsRenewable one time, only during war or national emergency
Constituting instrument 10 U.S.C. § 3033
Precursor Commanding General of the Army
Formation 15 August 1903
First holder LTG Samuel B. M. Young
Deputy Vice Chief of Staff of the Army
Website www.army.mil

The chief of staff of the Army (CSA) is a statutory position in the United States Army held by a general officer. As the highest-ranking officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Army, the chief is the principal military advisor and a deputy to the secretary of the Army. In a separate capacity, the CSA is a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (10 U.S.C. § 151) and, thereby, a military advisor to the National Security Council, the secretary of defense, and the president of the United States. The CSA is typically the highest-ranking officer on active duty in the U.S. Army unless the chairman or the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff are Army officers.

The chief of staff of the Army is an administrative position based in the Pentagon. While the CSA does not have operational command authority over Army forces proper (which is within the purview of the Combatant Commanders who report to the Secretary of Defense), the CSA does exercise supervision of army units and organizations as the designee of the Secretary of the Army.

The current Chief of Staff of the Army is General Randy George, who was sworn in on 21 September 2023, having previously served as acting CSA from 4 August.

The chief of staff of the Army is nominated for appointment by the president, for a four-year term of office,[1] and must be confirmed by the Senate.[1] The chief can be reappointed to serve one additional term, but only during times of war or national emergency declared by Congress.[1] By statute, the chief is appointed as a four-star general.[1]

The chief has an official residence, Quarters 1 at Joint Base Myer–Henderson Hall, Virginia.

The senior leadership of the Department of the Army consists of two civilians—the secretary of the Army (head of the department and subordinate to the secretary of defense) and the under secretary of the Army—and two military officers—the chief of staff of the Army and the vice chief of staff of the Army.

The chief reports directly to the secretary of the Army for army matters and assists in the Secretary's external affairs functions, including presenting and enforcing army policies, plans, and projections. The chief also directs the inspector general of the Army to perform inspections and investigations as required. In addition, the chief presides over the Army Staff and represents Army capabilities, requirements, policy, plans, and programs in Joint forums.[2] Under delegation of authority made by the secretary of the Army, the chief designates army personnel and army resources to the commanders of the unified combatant commands.[3] The chief performs all other functions enumerated in 10 U.S.C. § 3033 under the authority, direction, and control of the Secretary of the Army, or delegates those duties and responsibilities to other officers in his administration in his name. Like the other service counterparts, the chief has no operational command authority over army forces, dating back to the passage of the Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1958. The chief is served by a number of Deputy Chiefs of Staff of the Army, such as G-1, Personnel. The chief's base pay is 21,147.30permonthandalsoreceivedaPersonalMoneyAllowance(MonthlyAmount)of21,147.30 per month and also received a Personal Money Allowance (Monthly Amount) of 21,147.30permonthandalsoreceivedaPersonalMoneyAllowance(MonthlyAmount)of333.33, a basic allowance for subsistence of 253.38,andabasicallowanceforhousingfrom253.38, and a basic allowance for housing from 253.38,andabasicallowanceforhousingfrom50.70 to $1,923.30.

Until 1903, the senior military officer in the army was the Commanding General of the United States Army, who reported to the Secretary of War. From 1864 to 1865, Major General Henry Halleck (who had previously been Commanding General) served as "Chief of Staff of the Army" under the Commanding General, Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant, thus serving in a different office and not as the senior officer in the army.

The first chief of staff moved his headquarters to Fort Myer in 1908.[_clarification needed_]

List of chiefs of staff of the Army

[edit]

The rank listed is the rank when serving in the office.

No. Portrait Name Term Branch Secretaries served under: Ref.
Took office Left office Duration War / Army Defense
1 Samuel B. M. Young Young, Samuel Baldwin MarksLieutenant GeneralSamuel B. M. Young(1840–1924) 15 August 1903 8 January 1904 146 days Cavalry Elihu Root — [4]
2 Adna R. Chaffee Chaffee, AdnaLieutenant General**Adna R. Chaffee**(1842–1914) 9 January 1904 14 January 1906 2 years, 5 days Cavalry Elihu RootWilliam Howard Taft — [4]
3 John C. Bates Bates, JohnLieutenant General**John C. Bates**(1842–1919) 15 January 1906 13 April 1906 89 days Infantry William Howard Taft — [4]
4 J. Franklin Bell Bell, JamesMajor GeneralJ. Franklin Bell(1856–1919) 14 April 1906 21 April 1910 4 years, 7 days Cavalry William Howard TaftLuke Edward WrightJacob M. Dickinson — [4]
5 Leonard Wood Wood, LeonardMajor General**Leonard Wood**(1860–1927) 22 April 1910 21 April 1914 3 years, 364 days Medical and cavalry Jacob M. DickinsonHenry L. StimsonLindley Miller Garrison — [4]
6 William W. Wotherspoon Wotherspoon, WilliamMajor General**William W. Wotherspoon**(1850–1921) 22 April 1914 16 November 1914 208 days Infantry Lindley Miller Garrison — [4]
7 Hugh L. Scott Scott, HughMajor General**Hugh L. Scott**(1853–1934) 17 November 1914 22 September 1917 2 years, 309 days Cavalry Lindley Miller GarrisonNewton D. Baker — [4]
8 Tasker H. Bliss Bliss, TaskerGeneralTasker H. Bliss(1853–1930) 23 September 1917 19 May 1918 238 days Field artillery Newton D. Baker — [4]
9 Peyton C. March March, PeytonGeneral**Peyton C. March**(1864–1955) 20 May 1918 30 June 1921 3 years, 41 days Field artillery Newton D. BakerJohn W. Weeks — [4]
10 John J. Pershing Pershing, JohnGeneral of the ArmiesJohn J. Pershing(1860–1948) 1 July 1921 13 September 1924 3 years, 74 days Cavalry John W. Weeks — [4]
11 John L. Hines Hines, JohnMajor General**John L. Hines**(1868–1968) 14 September 1924 20 November 1926 2 years, 68 days Infantry John W. WeeksDwight F. Davis — [4]
12 Charles P. Summerall Summerall, CharlesGeneral**Charles P. Summerall**(1867–1955) 21 November 1926 20 November 1930 3 years, 364 days Infantry and artillery Dwight F. DavisJames William GoodPatrick J. Hurley — [4]
13 Douglas MacArthur MacArthur, DouglasGeneral**Douglas MacArthur**(1880–1964) 21 November 1930 1 October 1935 4 years, 315 days Infantry and engineers Patrick J. HurleyGeorge Dern — [4]
14 Malin Craig Craig, MalinGeneral**Malin Craig**(1875–1945) 2 October 1935 31 August 1939 3 years, 333 days Infantry and cavalry George DernHarry Hines Woodring — [4]
15 George C. Marshall Marshall, GeorgeGeneral of the ArmyGeorge C. Marshall(1880–1959) 1 September 1939 18 November 1945 6 years, 78 days Infantry Harry Hines WoodringHenry L. StimsonRobert P. Patterson — [4]
16 Dwight D. Eisenhower Eisenhower, DwightGeneral of the Army**Dwight D. Eisenhower**(1890–1969) 19 November 1945 6 February 1948 2 years, 79 days Infantry Robert P. Patterson (of War)Kenneth Claiborne Royall(of War, 1947; of the Army, 1947–1949) James Forrestal(from Sep. 1947) [4]
17 Omar Bradley Bradley, OmarGeneral**Omar Bradley**(1893–1981) 7 February 1948 15 August 1949[a] 1 year, 189 days Infantry Kenneth Claiborne RoyallGordon Gray James ForrestalLouis A. Johnson [4]
18 J. Lawton Collins Collins, JosephGeneral**J. Lawton Collins**(1896–1987) 16 August 1949[b] 14 August 1953 3 years, 363 days Infantry Gordon GrayFrank PaceRobert T. Stevens Louis A. JohnsonGeorge C. MarshallRobert A. LovettCharles Erwin Wilson [4]
19 Matthew B. Ridgway Ridgway, MatthewGeneral**Matthew B. Ridgway**(1895–1993) 15 August 1953 29 June 1955 1 year, 319 days Infantry Robert T. Stevens Charles Erwin Wilson [4]
20 Maxwell D. Taylor Taylor, MaxwellGeneral**Maxwell D. Taylor**(1901–1987) 30 June 1955 30 June 1959[c] 4 years, 0 days Field artillery Robert T. StevensWilber M. Brucker Charles Erwin WilsonNeil H. McElroy [4]
21 Lyman L. Lemnitzer Lemnitzer, LymanGeneral**Lyman L. Lemnitzer**(1899–1988) 1 July 1959[b] 30 September 1960[a] 1 year, 91 days Infantry and coast artillery Wilber M. Brucker Neil H. McElroyThomas S. Gates Jr. [4]
22 George H. Decker Decker, GeorgeGeneral**George H. Decker**(1902–1980) 1 October 1960[b] 30 September 1962 1 year, 364 days Infantry Wilber M. BruckerElvis Stahr Jr.Cyrus Vance Thomas S. Gates Jr.Robert McNamara [4]
23 Earle G. Wheeler Wheeler, EarleGeneral**Earle G. Wheeler**(1908–1975) 1 October 1962 2 July 1964[a] 1 year, 275 days Infantry and armor Cyrus VanceStephen Ailes Robert McNamara [4]
24 Harold K. Johnson Johnson, HaroldGeneral**Harold K. Johnson**(1912–1983) 3 July 1964 2 July 1968 3 years, 365 days Infantry and cavalry Stephen AilesStanley Rogers Resor Robert McNamaraClark Clifford [4]
25 William C. Westmoreland Westmoreland, WilliamGeneral**William C. Westmoreland**(1914–2005) 3 July 1968 30 June 1972 3 years, 363 days Field artillery Stanley Rogers ResorRobert Froehlke Clark CliffordMelvin Laird [4]
– Bruce Palmer Jr. Palmer, BruceGeneral**Bruce Palmer Jr.**(1913–2000)Acting[d] 1 July 1972 11 October 1972 102 days Infantry and cavalry Robert Froehlke Melvin Laird [4]
26 Creighton W. Abrams Jr. Abrams, CreightonGeneral**Creighton W. Abrams Jr.**(1914–1974) 12 October 1972 4 September 1974 † 1 year, 327 days Armor Robert FroehlkeBo Callaway Melvin LairdElliot RichardsonJames R. Schlesinger [4]
–[d] General**Frederick C. Weyand**(1916–2010) 5 September 1974 4 October 1974 29 days Infantry and intelligence Bo CallawayMartin R. Hoffmann James R. SchlesingerDonald Rumsfeld [5][6]
27 4 October 1974 30 September 1976 1 year, 362 days [4]
28 Bernard W. Rogers Rogers, BernardGeneral**Bernard W. Rogers**(1921–2008)[e] 1 October 1976 21 June 1979 2 years, 263 days Infantry Martin R. HoffmannClifford Alexander Jr. Donald RumsfeldHarold Brown [4]
29 Edward C. Meyer Meyer, EdwardGeneral**Edward C. Meyer**(1928–2020) 22 June 1979 21 June 1983 3 years, 364 days Infantry Clifford Alexander Jr.John O. Marsh Jr. Harold BrownCaspar Weinberger [4]
30 John A. Wickham Jr. Wickham, JohnGeneral**John A. Wickham Jr.**(1928–2024) 23 June 1983[b] 23 June 1987 4 years, 0 days Infantry and cavalry John O. Marsh Jr. Caspar Weinberger [4]
31 Carl E. Vuono Vuono, CarlGeneral**Carl E. Vuono**(born 1934) 23 June 1987 21 June 1991 3 years, 363 days Field artillery John O. Marsh Jr.Michael P. W. Stone Caspar WeinbergerFrank CarlucciDick Cheney [4]
32 Gordon R. Sullivan Sullivan, GordonGeneral**Gordon R. Sullivan**(1937–2024) 21 June 1991[b] 20 June 1995 3 years, 364 days Armor and mechanized infantry Michael P. W. StoneTogo D. West Jr. Dick CheneyLes AspinWilliam J. Perry [4]
33 Dennis J. Reimer Reimer, DennisGeneral**Dennis J. Reimer**(born 1939) 20 June 1995 21 June 1999 4 years, 1 day Artillery and mechanized infantry Togo D. West Jr.Louis Caldera William J. PerryWilliam Cohen [4]
34 Eric K. Shinseki Shinseki, EricGeneral**Eric K. Shinseki**(born 1942)[f] 21 June 1999[b] 11 June 2003 3 years, 355 days Cavalry Louis CalderaThomas E. White William CohenDonald Rumsfeld [4]
– John M. Keane Keane, JohnGeneral**John M. Keane**(born 1943)Acting[d] 11 June 2003 1 August 2003 51 days Infantry None[g] Donald Rumsfeld [7]
35 Peter J. Schoomaker Schoomaker, PeterGeneral**Peter J. Schoomaker**(born 1946)[h] 1 August 2003 10 April 2007 3 years, 252 days Cavalry and Special Forces Francis J. HarveyPete Geren Donald RumsfeldRobert Gates [4]
36 George W. Casey Jr. Casey, GeorgeGeneral**George W. Casey Jr.**(born 1948) 10 April 2007 11 April 2011 4 years, 1 day Armor and mechanized infantry Pete GerenJohn M. McHugh Robert Gates [8]
37 Martin E. Dempsey Dempsey, MartinGeneral**Martin E. Dempsey**(born 1952) 11 April 2011 7 September 2011[a] 149 days Armor and armored cavalry John M. McHugh Robert GatesLeon Panetta [9]
38 Raymond T. Odierno Odierno, RaymondGeneral**Raymond T. Odierno**(1954–2021) 7 September 2011 14 August 2015 3 years, 341 days Field artillery John M. McHugh Leon PanettaChuck HagelAsh Carter [10]
39 Mark A. Milley Milley, MarkGeneral**Mark A. Milley**(born 1958) 14 August 2015 9 August 2019[a] 3 years, 360 days Armor and light infantry John M. McHughEric FanningMark EsperRyan D. McCarthy Ash CarterJim MattisMark Esper [11]
40 James C. McConville McConville, JamesGeneral**James C. McConville**(born 1959) 9 August 2019[b] 4 August 2023 3 years, 360 days Aviation and cavalry Ryan D. McCarthyChristine Wormuth Mark EsperLloyd Austin [12]
–[d] General**Randy A. George**(born 1964) 4 August 2023 21 September 2023 48 days Infantry Christine Wormuth Lloyd Austin [13]
41 21 September 2023 Incumbent 1 year, 1 day [14]

  1. ^ a b c d e Appointed as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

  2. ^ a b c d e f g Served prior as Vice Chief of Staff of the Army.

  3. ^ Appointed Military Representative of the President from 1959 to 1962; Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1962 to 1964.

  4. ^ a b c d In capacity as Vice Chief of Staff of the Army.

  5. ^ Last World War II veteran to serve as Chief of Staff.

  6. ^ Last Vietnam War veteran to serve as Chief of Staff.

  7. ^ Les Brownlee served as acting Secretary of the Army during this period.

  8. ^ Recalled to active duty to serve as Chief of Staff. Schoomaker previously served as Commander in Chief, United States Special Operations Command from 1997 to 2000.

  9. ^ a b c d Law.cornell.edu, 10 USC 3033. Chief of Staff

  10. ^ "General George Casey - Chief of Staff Army". Archived from the original on 11 September 2007. Retrieved 22 September 2007.

  11. ^ Law.cornell.edu, 10 USC 165. Combatant commands: administration and support

  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj Bell 2005, p. 186-187.

  13. ^ "Acting chief of staff held Vietnam posts". Ventura County Star-Free Press. Camarillo, CA. United Press International. 5 September 1974. p. B-7 – via Newspapers.com.

  14. ^ "Weyand OKd". The Honolulu Advertiser. Honolulu, HI. United Press International. 4 October 1974. p. C-1 – via Newspapers.com.

  15. ^ "The Surge – Collective Memory Project" (PDF). Southern Methodist University. 18 August 2015. Retrieved 16 January 2024.

  16. ^ Leopold, J.D. (10 April 2007). "Gen. George W. Casey Jr. Becomes Army Chief of Staff". U.S. Army. Army News Service. Archived from the original on 4 October 2022. Retrieved 4 October 2022. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.

  17. ^ Garamone, Jim (12 April 2011). "Dempsey lays out themes for tenure as Army chief". U.S. Army. American Forces Press Service. Archived from the original on 4 October 2022. Retrieved 4 October 2022. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.

  18. ^ Smith, Derek (9 September 2011). "Familiar face accepts new role: Gen. Odierno becomes Army Chief of Staff". U.S. Army. 362nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment. Archived from the original on 4 October 2022. Retrieved 4 October 2022. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.

  19. ^ Callahan, Guv (20 August 2015). "The new boss: Army welcomes Milley on JBM-HH and says goodbye to a 'moral giant'". U.S. Army. Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Public Affairs. Archived from the original on 3 October 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2022. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.

  20. ^ Dickstein, Corey (9 August 2019). "McConville, Grinston sworn in as Army's top uniformed soldiers". Stars & Stripes. Archived from the original on 3 October 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2022.

  21. ^ "Webcast: Relinquishment of Responsibility for GEN James McConville / Change of Responsibility SMA Michael Grinston". DVIDS. Retrieved 28 July 2023. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.

  22. ^ Sword, Michael (21 September 2023). "Army Gen. Randy George sworn in as 41st Army Chief of Staff". DVIDS. Alaska: 11th Airborne Division. Retrieved 22 September 2023.