WASHINGTON, May 30 (UPI) -- U.S. Army Gen. Martin Dempsey is a strategic visionary, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said of President Barack Obama's pick for joint chiefs chairman.
Obama named Dempsey chairman of the joint chiefs of staff Monday, succeeding Adm. Mike Mullen, who retires in September.
At the Rose Garden ceremony bordering the Oval Office, Obama also named Army Gen. Ray Odierno, commander of the U.S. Joint Forces Command, as Dempsey's replacement as Army chief of staff and Adm. James A. Winnefeld Jr., commander of the U.S. Northern Command, as the joint chiefs' vice chairman, Fox News and other news organizations reported.
Dempsey, 59, was reported to be somewhat of an unexpected choice, having been confirmed as Army chief just March 15 and sworn in April 11.
Obama initially favored Gen. James Cartwright, the current vice chairman, before questions of personnel management and command style pushed him out of the running, The New York Times and other publications said.
"During his 36 years of active service, Gen. Dempsey is one who has never been satisfied with the status quo -- a quality I have always looked for when selecting our military's senior leaders," Gates said when Dempsey was sworn in as Army chief. "He's always impressed me with his keen mind, strategic vision, quiet confidence and the energy he brings to every assignment: a real soldier-scholar."
If he is confirmed by the Senate, Dempsey -- who commanded the 1st Armored Division in Iraq in 2003-2004 -- will become the highest-ranking officer in the U.S. armed forces.
As such, he will be the principal military adviser to Obama, Central Intelligence Agency Director Leon Panetta, in line to become defense secretary when Gates retires in June, and Gen. David Petraeus, who will take over from Panetta as CIA director. Dempsey will also advise the National Security Council and the Homeland Security Council.
His basic pay will be more than $220,000, the 2011 U.S. Military Pay Table indicates.
Dempsey is known for his dry public personality, but supporters point to a YouTube video in which Dempsey sings "New York, New York" a la Frank Sinatra in Army dress uniform at Fort Monroe, Va.
Dempsey is married to his high school sweetheart, Deanie. Their three children all served in the Army.
