At left, Army Gen. Randy George in July 2023 at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing. At right, Marine Corps Gen. Eric Smith in April 2023 at a House Armed Services Committee. (Carlos Bongioanni/S&S, left; Eric Dietrich/U.S. Air Force)
WASHINGTON — The Senate voted Thursday to confirm the Army chief of staff and the commandant of the Marine Corps, filling key positions on the Joint Chiefs of Staff as Sen.
Tommy Tuberville maintains his hold on more than 300 other military nominees.
Army Gen. Randy George was approved in a 96-1 vote, with Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, objecting. George had been simultaneously serving as vice chief of staff of the Army, a position that he has held since 2022, as well as the acting chief of staff since the August retirement of Gen. James McConville.
“I have full confidence that he will continue to modernize the Army and maintain our highly trained and lethal force to fight and win our nation’s wars,” said Sen.
Joni Ernst, R-Iowa. “Gen. George is a hardworking public servant who knows the needs of our soldiers and their families.”
Marine Gen. Eric Smith was unanimously approved in a 96-0 vote. He also performed dual roles as assistant commandant of the Marine Corps and acting commandant following the retirement of Gen. David Berger in July.
George and Smith had been prevented from officially ascending to their services’ top posts by Tuberville’s monthslong objection to a routine Senate process for voting on general and flag officers in large batches.
Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., at right, walks toward the Senate chamber on Thursday, Sept.
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