is a battle hardened commander seen by his colleagues as an

General Martin Dempsey Picked As Joint Chiefs Chairman

Canada Goose online military as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff canada goose outlet florida during the difficult years ahead is a muddy boots combat soldier seemingly more comfortable in battle fatigues than in the dress blues of Washington’s corridors of power. is a battle hardened commander seen by his colleagues as an inspired choice to guide the military through a painful period of deep budget cuts and manpower reductions. If he is confirmed as expected by the Senate, Dempsey’s job will be to help forge a new strategy to direct the Pentagon’s organization, investments, training and deployments for contingencies as disparate as managing a no fly zone over Libya, a naval confrontation in the South China Sea, a failing government in nuclear armed Pakistan and hostilities from North Korea and Iran. Canada Goose online

Dempsey, a 1974 West Point graduate, led the First Armored Division through 14 months of bloody combat in 2003 2004 in Iraq, a campaign that culminated with extended urban warfare that sapped the resistance of Moqtada al Sadr’s Shiite militia. Dempsey’s division suffered 130 soldiers killed in battle and canada goose outlet ottawa 798 wounded. Central Command, the military’s Middle East headquarters. Dempsey had previously spent canada goose outlet uk sale two years in Saudi Arabia training the Saudi national guard. Army’s top canada goose outlet black friday officer in April.

canadian goose jacket “He’s got all the merit badges,” a fellow general said approvingly. canadian goose https://www.goosesea.com jacket

President Obama agreed. “With nearly 40 years in uniform, [Dempsey] is one of our nation’s most respected and combat tested generals,” he said Monday, in a speech announcing Dempsey nomination as the nation’s top military officer and principal adviser to the president on military issues. “I expect him to push all our forces to continue adapting and innovating to be ready for the missions of today and tomorrow.”

canada goose store Obama also selected Navy Adm. James Winnefeld as vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs, and nominated Gen. Ray Odierno canada goose outlet price to replace Dempsey in the Army’s top job. canada goose store

“We have much to canada goose factory outlet do,” Obama told the three officers in a brief White House ceremony Monday. Despite the budget cuts ahead, Obama said he is committed to “keeping our military the finest fighting force in the world.”

Canada Goose Parka Together, Obama’s selections for the national security leadership present a formidable triad of power. They may serve as a complement to Leon Panetta, who is expected to be confirmed next month as the new defense secretary. Panetta has minimal military experience and, in the words of one Pentagon insider, has “no friends in the building.” Canada Goose Parka

Canada Goose Online For a commander in chief who took office with no military experience and little exposure to or understanding of the military’s culture, some said the decision to elevate combat commanders reflects Obama’s increasing confidence in dealing with military brass. Canada Goose Online

“This really shows that Obama has matured in his relations with the military over the last two years and that has gone both ways,” said retired Army Maj. Gen. Robert H. Scales, an Army historian and former commandant of the Army War cheap canada goose College. “His initial discomfort with the intricacies of the military culture, and the military’s discomfort with Obama, has eased. I think Obama’s true empathy with those making sacrifices has allowed him to peel away layers of the military culture and see who’s best for the job.”

uk canada goose outlet In selecting Dempsey, Obama stepped away from several senior officers who had been considered for the job job, including Marine Gen. James “Hoss” Cartwright, the current vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs, and Navy Adm. James Stavridis, currently NATO commander. Cartwright, a personal friend of the president and widely admired for his intellectual firepower, was nonetheless mistrusted by much of the Pentagon brass. His chilly relations inside the building stemmed in part from his role during the administration’s long and bitter debate in the fall of 2009 over Afghanistan war strategy. Cartwright worked with Vice President Joe Biden to help develop an option for a smaller troop presence, while the the Joint Chiefs and Defense Secretary Robert Gates were pushing for a major “surge” of troops. uk canada goose outlet

cheap canada goose uk In addition, neither Stavridis nor Cartwright has led ground troops in canada goose shop uk combat. cheap canada goose uk

Canada Goose Coats On Sale In contrast, Dempsey who took time off from his combat tours to complete a masters degree (English) at Duke University carries a reputation for a much more collegiate style of leadership common among soldiers under the stress of combat. Canada Goose Coats On Sale

canada goose uk black friday “He has a remarkable effervescent personality that attracts people to him and makes them want to work for him rather than just following orders,” said Scales. canada goose outlet london “As a veteran sergeant major once told me, ‘Never underestimate the advantage of being liked.”’ canada goose uk black friday

Dempsey will need that power in the years ahead as canada goose outlet london uk the Pentagon struggles to fend off deep budget cuts and with the inertia of the military brass to pursue expensive, “big ticket” solutions to security challenges. Already in the planning stages are a new long range bomber and costly high tech warships, for example, even before there is consensus on what strategic challenges lie ahead and how best to meet them.