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1st LD Writethru: Obama picks Marine General as Joint Chiefs chairman

Xinhua, May 6, 2015 Adjust font size:

U.S. President Barack Obama on Tuesday nominated Marine General Joseph Dunford as the next chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Praising Dunford as one of American military's "most highly regarded strategic thinkers," Obama emphasized General Dunford's role in ending the U.S. combat operations in Afghanistan.

"Under his steady hand, we've achieved key milestones, including the transition to Afghan responsibility for security, historic Afghan elections, and the drawdown of U.S. forces," said Obama.

Dunford began his career as an infantry officer and has commanded at all levels. As a widely respected commander in the United States who led the Afghanistan war coalition during 2013- 2014, Dunford will succeed Army General Martin Dempsey, who is retiring this year as the top military advisor to Obama and Defense Secretary Ashton Carter.

Dunford is expected to be easily confirmed by the Senate, as Senator John McCain, chairman of Senate Armed Services Committee, said shortly after Obama's personnel announcement Tuesday that his committee would give the nomination "prompt and thorough consideration."

"In addition to his leadership of the Marine Corps, General Dunford's exemplary service in Iraq and Afghanistan makes him a strong choice as we confront threats to stability and peace in both countries and throughout the region," said McCain in a statement.

If confirmed, General Dunford would be the second Marine officer to hold the top military job.

Dunford, 59, is a native of Boston, the capital of the state of Massachusetts, and holds master's degrees in government from Georgetown University and international relations from Tufts University's Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. Endite