McConville Becomes Army’s 40th Chief of Staff


Gen. James C. McConville, shown here speaking to soldiers during a visit to Fort Bliss, Texas, on July 22, 2019, has been sworn in as the Army's newest chief of staff. Army photo by Spc. Matthew J. Marcellus.

Gen. Mark Milley handed over command of the Army to Gen. James McConville on Aug. 9 as he departs the service to become the Defense Department’s top uniformed officer.

The Senate on July 25 confirmed Milley as the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, taking over for retiring USMC Gen. Joseph Dunford.

The date for that change of command has not been announced.

McConville, previously the Army’s vice chief of staff, took over the top post in a ceremony at JB Myer-Henderson Hall, Va. Former Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Grinston became the new sergeant major of the Army at the same event.