Vice Chief of Staff of the Army

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The Vice Chief of Staff of the Army is the second most senior officer in the United States Army, unless an Army officer is Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff or Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The incumbent, General Peter Chiarelli, acts for the Chief of Staff in his absence, and is more concerned with Army operations while the Chief of Staff works with the Defense Department, White House, and Congress.

Neither the Chief nor the Vice Chief exercises direct command over combat troops; their role is readying Army forces to serve in the operational Unified Combatant Commands.