Chairman of the Joint Chiefs

[NousDefionsDoc]

On another note, while I'm starting crap - I don't think we should have an Air Force General as CJCS while we're fighting a GWOT.

[The Reaper]

On another note, while I'm starting crap - I don't think we should have an Air Force General as CJCS while we're fighting a GWOT.

Didn't work out too well at USSOCOM, either, IIRC.

TR

[Airbornelawyer]

But it was their turn :rolleyes:

GEN Jones was considered to be a rather mediocre CJCS, the kind of chief Jimmy Carter would pick. After ADM Crowe succeeded GEN Vessey, everyone assumed his successor would be Air Force. When GEN Powell got the nod, the Air Force was mad but assumed it was simply due to Powell's political connections and high profile. When GEN Shalikashvili succeeded him, the Air Force got madder (and the Navy started wondering too). When GEN Shelton took over, the Air Force (especially GEN Fogleman) was livid.

It's a 4-year term. GEN Myers' gig is up next Fall. Who should or will likely replace him?

[NousDefionsDoc]

I don't know enough about that pay grade to pick one. How about the Navy Spec War guy?

[The Reaper]

I don't know enough about that pay grade to pick one. How about the Navy Spec War guy?

I think AL is talking CJCS.

Likely candidates are usually senior four stars in the next service in line for the position.

In this case, it is the Navy's turn, though rumors have abounded that a Marine, perhaps General Pace, currently the Vice Chief might be selected as the first USMC CJCS ever. Admiral Vern Clark, the CNO would be another likely candidate.

I would call GEN Pace the inside favorite, especially with a ground war going on right now, though the Sec Def and the POTUS will have the right to choose their own man. I suspect that Sec Def has eliminated a lot of the candidates quickly himself.

I would not mind seeing GEN Schoomaker get it, but that is pretty unlikely.

TR

[NousDefionsDoc]

Well, since the Marines have never had one, sounds like a winner.

[CommoGeek]

Just to add something real quick: "Doc" Fogelman is....neither well respected, liked, or effective. He had quite a "rabbi" to get where he is.

[Airbornelawyer]

Given Rumsfeld's iconoclasm, as seen in pulling Schoomaker out of retirement, the traditional rules don't apply, so whose turn it is may be a non-issue.

I though about GEN Pace, but I think it's rare for Vice Chiefs to succeed to Chief. He may be the next Commandant, though. Also, the Corps has already broken precedent with GEN Jones as SACEUR (interestingly, the US Military Representative to NATO is also a Marine, LTG Hanlon). From Ike to Jones, there have been 14 SACEURs - 1 Marine, 2 USAF and 11 Army. The only times it hasn't been a groundpounder were 1956-62, when everyone thought nuclear-armed bombers were the future of warfare, and 2000-03, when Kosovo supposedly proved you could win a war without ground troops.

Of course, NORAD has always been an Air Force gig, and now that that is Northern Command in charge of homeland defense, an Admiral has taken charge.

As for CJCS, I suppose Abizaid will be a leading candidate. GEN Brown is another possibility. The CNO, ADM Clark, is also a possibility - he's been there since 2000 so his term should be up soon.

[NousDefionsDoc]

One thing I thought about last night with the Marine - wouldn't he always be kinda of the rock and the hard place with the CNO what with the USMC being in the Dept of the Navy?

[Sweetbriar]

Adm Clark is doing a second tour as CNO. He won't be available.

[Airbornelawyer]

There's also ADM Edmund Giambastiani. He is dual-hatted as head of a Unified Combatant Command - Joint Forces Command - and a NATO command - Supreme Allied Commander Transformation.

Given that (a) he has joint and combined experience, (b) "transformation" is the buzzword of the day and (c) his previous job was as Sec'y Rumsfeld's military assistant, he might be rather well-placed. Against that, he's a submariner and most of his career has been in subs. He did a tour at the CIA, though. He's had his current assignment since October 2002.

Bio: http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/people/flags/biographies/giambastiani.html