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    Director of the Joint Staff

    From Wikipedia - Reading time: 6 min

    Director of the Joint Staff
    Seal of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
    Incumbent
    LTG Douglas A. Sims II, USA
    since 3 January 2024
    Joint Staff
    AbbreviationDJS
    Reports toChairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
    Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
    SeatThe Pentagon, Arlington County, Virginia, U.S.
    AppointerChairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
    Constituting instrument10 U.S.C. § 155
    Inaugural holderMG Alfred M. Gruenther, USA
    Formation19 September 1949
    DeputyVice Director of the Joint Staff
    Websitewww.jcs.mil

    The director of the Joint Staff (DJS) is a three-star officer who assists the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a cabinet of senior military officers within the United States Armed Forces who advise the secretary of defense and the president on military matters. The director assists the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in managing the Joint Staff and with the management and organization of the staff's members. The director also chairs meetings of the Operations Deputies, a subsidiary body comprising the director and a three-star delegate from each service who preview or resolve issues before they are escalated to the four-star level of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.[1]

    The director of the Joint Staff is selected by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in consultation with the other members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and subject to the approval of the secretary of defense.[1] As with all three- and four-star positions, the director's appointment is subject to presidential nomination and Senate confirmation.

    The position of director is considered one of the most desirable three-star positions in the United States military establishment, for the position has historically served as a stepping stone to a four-star position.[2] As of January 2024, 38 of the 49 past directors and one past acting director, have been promoted to four-star rank. Many of them have been promoted to four-star rank within a year of leaving the position.

    The current director of the Joint Staff is Lieutenant General Douglas A. Sims II.

    List of directors of the Joint Staff

    [edit]

    This is a complete list of the directors of the Joint Staff.[3] An asterisk (*) indicates an acting Director.

    Of the 41 directors of the Joint Staff as of 2012, 30 have been promoted to four-star rank while on active duty, as has one acting director; and a 31st former director was promoted to that rank upon retirement. Moreover, 22 of the last 23 directors have been promoted to four-star rank within a year of leaving the Joint Staff.

    No. Director Term Service branch Notes
    Portrait Name Took office Left office Term length
    1
    Alfred M. Gruenther
    		Major General
    Alfred M. Gruenther    		17 September 194719 September 19492 years, 2 days
    U.S. Army    		Promoted to general, 1951.
    2
    Arthur C. Davis
    		Rear Admiral
    Arthur C. Davis    		20 September 19491 November 19512 years, 42 days
    U.S. Navy    		Promoted to admiral on retirement, 1955.
    3
    Charles P. Cabell
    		Lieutenant General
    Charles P. Cabell    		2 November 195123 April 19531 year, 172 days
    U.S. Air Force    		Promoted to general, 1958.
    4
    Frank F. Everest
    		Lieutenant General
    Frank F. Everest    		24 April 195318 March 1954328 days
    U.S. Air Force    		Promoted to general, 1957.
    5
    Lemuel Mathewson
    		Lieutenant General
    Lemuel Mathewson    		19 March 195414 March 19561 year, 361 days
    U.S. Army    		Retired, 1958.
    6
    Bernard L. Austin
    		Vice Admiral
    Bernard L. Austin    		15 March 195631 March 19582 years, 16 days
    U.S. Navy    		Retired, 1968.
    7
    Oliver S. Picher
    		Lieutenant General
    Oliver S. Picher    		1 April 195831 March 19601 year, 365 days
    U.S. Air Force    		Retired, 1960.
    8
    Earle Wheeler
    		Lieutenant General
    Earle Wheeler    		1 April 196024 February 19621 year, 329 days
    U.S. Army    		Promoted to general, 1962.
    9
    Herbert D. Riley
    		Vice Admiral
    Herbert D. Riley    		25 February 196223 February 19641 year, 363 days
    U.S. Navy    		Retired, 1964.
    10
    David A. Burchinal
    		Lieutenant General
    David A. Burchinal    		24 February 196431 July 19662 years, 157 days
    U.S. Air Force    		Promoted to general, 1966.
    11
    Andrew J. Goodpaster
    		Lieutenant General
    Andrew J. Goodpaster    		1 August 196631 March 1967242 days
    U.S. Army    		Promoted to general, 1968.
    12
    Berton E. Spivy
    		Lieutenant General
    Berton E. Spivy    		1 April 196731 July 19681 year, 121 days
    U.S. Army    		Promoted to general, 1968.
    13
    Nels C. Johnson
    		Vice Admiral
    Nels C. Johnson    		1 August 196819 July 19701 year, 352 days
    U.S. Navy    		Retired, 1970.
    14
    John W. Vogt
    		Lieutenant General
    John W. Vogt    		20 July 19707 April 19721 year, 262 days
    U.S. Air Force    		Promoted to general, 1972.
    –
    Mason B. Freeman
    		Rear Admiral
    Mason B. Freeman
    Acting    		8 April 197211 June 197264 days
    U.S. Navy    		Retired, 1979.
    15
    George M. Seignious II
    		Lieutenant General
    George M. Seignious II    		12 June 197231 May 19741 year, 353 days
    U.S. Army    		Retired, 1974.
    16
    Harry D. Train II
    		Vice Admiral
    Harry D. Train II    		1 June 197430 June 19762 years, 29 days
    U.S. Navy    		Promoted to admiral, 1978.
    17
    Ray B. Sitton
    		Lieutenant General
    Ray B. Sitton    		1 July 197630 June 1977364 days
    U.S. Air Force    		Retired, 1977.
    18
    Patrick J. Hannifin
    		Vice Admiral
    Patrick J. Hannifin    		1 July 197720 June 1978354 days
    U.S. Navy    		Retired, 1978.
    –
    John A. Wickham Jr.
    		Major General
    John A. Wickham Jr.
    Acting    		1 July 197821 August 197851 days
    U.S. Army    		Appointed as 19th director.
    19
    John A. Wickham Jr.
    		Lieutenant General
    John A. Wickham Jr.    		22 August 197822 June 1979304 days
    U.S. Army    		Promoted to general, 1979.
    20
    C. Thor Hanson
    		Vice Admiral
    C. Thor Hanson    		22 June 197930 June 19812 years, 8 days
    U.S. Navy    		Retired, 1982.
    21
    James E. Dalton
    		Lieutenant General
    James E. Dalton    		1 July 198130 June 19831 year, 364 days
    U.S. Air Force    		Promoted to general, 1983.
    22
    Jack N. Merritt
    		Lieutenant General
    Jack N. Merritt    		1 July 198330 June 19851 year, 364 days
    U.S. Army    		Promoted to general, 1985.
    23
    Powell F. Carter Jr.
    		Vice Admiral
    Powell F. Carter Jr.    		1 July 198514 August 19872 years, 44 days
    U.S. Navy    		Promoted to admiral, 1987.
    24
    Robert W. RisCassi
    		Lieutenant General
    Robert W. RisCassi    		15 August 198730 November 19881 year, 107 days
    U.S. Army    		Promoted to general, 1988.
    25
    Hansford T. Johnson
    		Lieutenant General
    Hansford T. Johnson    		1 December 198820 September 1989293 days
    U.S. Air Force    		Promoted to general, 1989.
    –
    Gene A. Deegan
    		Major General
    Gene A. Deegan
    Acting    		21 September 198926 September 19895 days
    U.S. Marine Corps    		Retired, 1991.
    26
    Michael P.C. Carns
    		Lieutenant General
    Michael P.C. Carns    		27 September 198916 May 19911 year, 231 days
    U.S. Air Force    		Promoted to general, 1991.
    27
    Henry Viccellio Jr.
    		Lieutenant General
    Henry Viccellio Jr.    		17 May 19911 December 19921 year, 198 days
    U.S. Air Force    		Promoted to general, 1992.
    28
    Richard C. Macke
    		Vice Admiral
    Richard C. Macke    		1 December 199217 July 19941 year, 228 days
    U.S. Navy    		Promoted to admiral, 1994.
    –
    Charles T. Robertson Jr.
    		Major General
    Charles T. Robertson Jr.
    Acting    		18 July 199424 July 19946 days
    U.S. Air Force    		Promoted to general, 1998.
    29
    Walter Kross
    		Lieutenant General
    Walter Kross    		25 July 199412 July 19961 year, 353 days
    U.S. Air Force    		Promoted to general, 1996.
    –
    Carlton W. Fulford Jr.
    		Major General
    Carlton W. Fulford Jr.
    Acting    		13 July 199613 September 199662 days
    U.S. Marine Corps    		Later appointed as the 32nd director.
    30
    Dennis C. Blair
    		Vice Admiral
    Dennis C. Blair    		14 September 199612 December 19982 years, 89 days
    U.S. Navy    		Promoted to admiral, 1999.
    31
    Vern Clark
    		Vice Admiral
    Vern Clark    		13 December 199826 July 1999225 days
    U.S. Navy    		Promoted to admiral, 1999.
    32
    Carlton W. Fulford Jr.
    		Lieutenant General
    Carlton W. Fulford Jr.    		27 July 199914 July 2000353 days
    U.S. Marine Corps    		Promoted to general, 2000.
    33
    Scott Fry
    		Vice Admiral
    Scott Fry    		15 July 200015 October 20011 year, 92 days
    U.S. Navy    		Retired, 2003.
    34
    John P. Abizaid
    		Lieutenant General
    John P. Abizaid    		16 October 200123 January 20031 year, 99 days
    U.S. Army    		Promoted to general, 2003.
    35
    George W. Casey Jr.
    		Lieutenant General
    George W. Casey Jr.    		24 January 200315 October 2003287 days
    U.S. Army    		Promoted to general, 2003.
    36
    Timothy J. Keating
    		Vice Admiral
    Timothy J. Keating    		16 October 200320 October 20041 year, 4 days
    U.S. Navy    		Promoted to admiral, 2004.
    37
    Norton A. Schwartz
    		Lieutenant General
    Norton A. Schwartz    		21 October 200429 August 2005312 days
    U.S. Air Force    		Promoted to general, 2005.
    38
    Walter L. Sharp
    		Lieutenant General
    Walter L. Sharp    		30 August 200522 June 20082 years, 326 days
    U.S. Army    		Promoted to general, 2008.
    –
    Stephen M. Goldfein
    		Major General
    Stephen M. Goldfein
    Acting    		23 June 200810 August 200848 days
    U.S. Air Force    		Brother of the 43rd director, David L. Goldfein.
    39
    Stanley A. McChrystal
    		Lieutenant General
    Stanley A. McChrystal    		11 August 200811 June 2009304 days
    U.S. Army    		Promoted to general, 2009.
    -
    Bruce E. Grooms
    		Rear Admiral
    Bruce E. Grooms
    Acting    		12 June 20098 August 200957 days
    U.S. Navy    		Retired, 2015.
    40
    Lloyd Austin
    		Lieutenant General
    Lloyd Austin    		9 August 200913 July 2010338 days
    U.S. Army    		Promoted to general, 2010.
    41
    William E. Gortney
    		Vice Admiral
    William E. Gortney    		14 July 20108 August 20122 years, 25 days
    U.S. Navy    		Promoted to admiral, 2012.
    42
    Curtis M. Scaparrotti
    		Lieutenant General
    Curtis M. Scaparrotti    		9 August 201211 August 20131 year, 2 days
    U.S. Army    		Promoted to general, 2013.
    43
    David L. Goldfein
    		Lieutenant General
    David L. Goldfein    		12 August 201331 July 20151 year, 353 days
    U.S. Air Force    		Brother of acting director, Stephen M. Goldfein.
    Promoted to general, 2015.
    44
    William C. Mayville Jr.
    		Lieutenant General
    William C. Mayville Jr.    		1 August 201530 July 20171 year, 363 days
    U.S. Army    		Retired, 2018.
    45
    Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr.
    		Lieutenant General
    Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr.    		31 July 201728 February 20191 year, 212 days
    U.S. Marine Corps    		Promoted to general, 2019.
    46
    Michael M. Gilday
    		Vice Admiral
    Michael M. Gilday    		1 March 201917 July 2019138 days
    U.S. Navy    		Promoted to admiral, 2019.
    –
    Glen D. VanHerck
    		Major General
    Glen D. VanHerck
    Acting    		18 July 201926 September 201970 days
    U.S. Air Force    		Promoted to director.
    47
    Glen D. VanHerck
    		Lieutenant General
    Glen D. VanHerck    		27 September 20193 August 2020311 days
    U.S. Air Force    		Promoted to general, 2020.
    –
    William D. Byrne Jr.
    		Rear Admiral
    William D. Byrne Jr.
    Acting    		3 August 202030 September 202058 days
    U.S. Navy    		Vice director of the Joint Staff from September 2019 to May 2021.
    48
    Andrew P. Poppas
    		Lieutenant General
    Andrew P. Poppas    		1 October 20202 June 20221 year, 244 days
    U.S. Army    		Promoted to general, 2022.
    49
    James J. Mingus
    		Lieutenant General
    James J. Mingus    		2 June 20223 January 20241 year, 215 days
    U.S. Army    		Promoted to general, 2024.
    50
    Douglas A. Sims II
    		Lieutenant General
    Douglas A. Sims II    		3 January 2024Incumbent1 year, 89 days
    U.S. Army    		Served as Director for Operations (J3), the Joint Staff.

    See also

    [edit]
    • List of active duty United States four-star officers
    • List of United States Army four-star generals
    • List of United States Marine Corps four-star generals
    • List of United States Navy four-star admirals
    • List of United States Air Force four-star generals

    References

    [edit]
    1. ^ a b Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. "Director Responsibility Statement". Joint Chiefs of Staff. Archived from the original on 7 June 2011.
    2. ^ Woodward, Bob (2006). State of Denial: Bush at War, Part III. Simon and Schuster. pp. 22, 40. ISBN 978-0-7432-7223-0. scott fry joint staff.
    3. ^ Historical Office (2004), Department of Defense Key Officials, 1947–2004, Office of the Secretary of Defense, p. 61
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