Mark Milley

Mark Milley
Born	Mark Alexander Milley (1958-06-20) June 20, 1958 Winchester, Massachusetts, U.S.
Occupation	United States Army general (retired)
Years active	1980–2023
Known for	20th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; 39th Chief of Staff of the United States Army

Mark Alexander Milley (born June 20, 1958) is a retired general of the United States Army who held the position of the 20th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from October 1, 2019, until September 30, 2023. Before this role, he served as the 39th chief of staff of the Army between August 2015 and August 2019, undertaking numerous command and staff assignments across eight divisions as well as special operations forces.

A graduate of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps program at Princeton University, Milley was commissioned in 1980 as an armor officer. He furthered his education by obtaining a master's degree from Columbia University. Named chairman by President Donald Trump, he was the tenth officer from the U.S. Army to assume this position. In his capacity as chairman, Milley was the most senior military officer within the United States Armed Forces and served as the chief military advisor to the president of the United States, Secretary of Defense, National Security Council, and Homeland Security Council.

In response to threats made by Trump, President Joe Biden issued advance pardons for Milley and other officials prior to leaving office on January 20, 2025. Mere hours following Trump's second inauguration, Milley's official portrait—which had been unveiled at the Pentagon on January 10—was taken down. Soon after, his security clearance was revoked and his protective detail was withdrawn.

Early life and education

Born in Winchester, Massachusetts on June 20, 1958, Milley is of Irish heritage and was raised in the Roman Catholic faith. His paternal grandfather, Peter (1897–1976), hailed from Newfoundland and served with the Royal Newfoundland Regiment during World War I’s Gallipoli campaign. Milley’s father, Alexander (1924–2015), enlisted in the United States Navy in 1943 as a naval corpsman and participated in significant Pacific theater battles. Following his military service, he pursued careers as a restaurateur and food-broker. Milley’s mother, Mary Elizabeth (née Murphy), served as a nurse with the Navy’s WAVES during World War II and is characterized by Milley as a pioneering woman who broke through traditional barriers.

Milley attended a Catholic grammar school where he played hockey before being recruited to attend Belmont Hill School due to his strong academic and athletic performance. He later enrolled at Princeton University, playing varsity ice hockey while joining the Reserve Officers' Training Corps. He graduated in 1980 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in politics, completing a senior thesis entitled "The Irish Republican Army: A Critical Analysis of Revolutionary Guerrilla Organization in Theory and Practice." Milley holds a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs, along with a Master of Arts in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College. Additionally, he completed studies at the MIT Center for International Studies Seminar XXI National Security Studies Program.

Military career

Milley received his commission as an armor officer through Princeton University's Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps program in 1980. His military service included assignments with the 82nd Airborne Division, 5th Special Forces Group, 7th Infantry Division, 2nd Infantry Division, Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, 25th Infantry Division, Joint Staff Operations, and as Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense.

Throughout his career, he fulfilled numerous command and staff roles across eight divisions, notably including the 5th Special Forces Group and the 10th Mountain Division. Milley led ODA 543, a twelve-man special forces unit, and commanded the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment of the 2nd Infantry Division stationed in South Korea from 1996 to 1998. He also commanded the 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 10th Mountain Division (Light) between December 2003 and July 2005; served as deputy commanding general for operations of the 101st Airborne Division from July 2007 to April 2008; and was the commanding general of the 10th Mountain Division from November 2011 through December 2012.

From December 2012 until August 2014, Milley led III Corps at Fort Hood, Texas, while simultaneously commanding the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command from May 2013 to February 2014. Subsequently, he assumed command of United States Army Forces Command at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, serving from August 2014 to August 2015.

Chief of Staff of the Army

On August 14, 2015, Milley was named Chief of Staff of the United States Army. In his opening address, he emphasized priorities such as readiness, modernization efforts, and soldier welfare: "Maintaining the Army's status as the foremost ground combat force worldwide is essential. Readiness for ground combat remains—and will continue to be—the Army’s top priority. We will take all necessary actions to develop a flexible and adaptive Army prepared for future challenges."

Modernization and reform

A central focus for Milley was modernizing the Army by creating a dedicated command to streamline capability delivery, modeled after U.S. Special Operations Command. During the 2017 Association of the United States Army conference, he outlined key modernization goals involving tanks, aircraft, and weaponry. He advocated moving away from a slow industrial-era procurement process toward an accelerated "buy, try, decide and acquire" strategy. Milley emphasized that evolving military tactics and organizational transformation are vital to sustaining combat effectiveness over the next seventy years.

In February 2017, Security Force Assistance Brigades (SFABs) were established at Fort Benning to enhance security cooperation and provide rapid support to combatant commanders. Although SFAB personnel undergo training comparable to Special Forces soldiers, they are distinct units specializing in training allied military forces in conventional light infantry tactics under experienced infantry brigade officers.

In 2018, Secretary of the Army Mark Esper collaborated with Milley to launch Army Futures Command in Austin, Texas. This command stands on equal footing with major commands like Army Forces Command and taps into regional academic and industrial resources. The initiative concentrates on future combat concepts through eight cross-functional teams addressing priorities such as long-range precision fires, next-generation combat vehicles, air and missile defense systems, soldier lethality improvements, synthetic training environments, future vehicle lift platforms, and assured positioning/navigation/timing capabilities.

Esper and Milley also introduced a revised Army Combat Fitness Test in 2018 aimed at better aligning physical assessments with combat demands. This test was set to replace the previous four-decade-old standard by October 2020. Milley highlighted that soldiers must possess both physical endurance and psychological resilience to meet the challenges of ground combat: "Combat is not suited for those lacking mental toughness or psychological strength."

Army Green Service Uniform

In early 2017, General Milley, together with then-Sergeant Major of the Army Daniel A. Dailey, proposed reinstating the distinguished two-tone "Pinks and Greens" uniform as a tribute to World War II veterans. The initiative aimed to establish a professional attire that would link today’s soldiers with their historical roots, thereby enhancing esprit de corps, recruitment efforts, and overall readiness.

A poll conducted by Army Times in late 2018 revealed that 72% of 32,000 participants favored adopting this uniform, although some concerns were raised regarding additional expenses and the introduction of another uniform option. To address these issues, the Army announced on November 11, 2018, that enlisted personnel could acquire the uniform using their current annual clothing allowance, effectively eliminating extra costs for them. Furthermore, the uniform’s manufacturing was to occur domestically without imposing further financial burdens on taxpayers. Secretary of the Army Esper, alongside Milley and Dailey as principal supporters, approved the uniform’s reintroduction in November 2018.

Iraq War study

In 2018, General Milley played a pivotal role in determining whether the Army would release a contentious two-volume, 1,300-page analysis covering the 2003–2006 Iraq War. He personally reviewed the extensive 500,000-word manuscript and commissioned an independent panel of academics to assess its contents. Although it received acclaim—one reviewer described it as "the gold standard in official history"—Milley postponed its publication for additional scrutiny. However, after inquiries from The Wall Street Journal in October 2018, he reversed his decision and authorized its official release with a foreword penned by himself. He commended the authors’ efforts and aimed for a publication date before year-end 2018.

Subsequently, Representatives Jackie Speier (D-California) and Ruben Gallego (D-Arizona), members of the House Armed Services Committee, criticized the delay in a letter addressed to Army officials. Speier underscored the importance of transparency, asserting that both the military institution and the public must have full access to lessons learned to avoid costly mistakes in future operations. The comprehensive two-volume report was ultimately published on January 17, 2019.

Report on climate change

In May 2019, General Milley commissioned a report from the U.S. Army War College to evaluate how climate change might affect American society and military capabilities. Released in August 2019, this study—prepared by experts from the U.S. Army, Defense Intelligence Agency, and NASA—outlined potential threats such as widespread blackouts, outbreaks of disease, hunger crises, and compromised military preparedness due to vulnerabilities in aging infrastructure like power grids and food distribution networks. It also highlighted increasing water shortages and disruptions to global food systems in developing nations that could exacerbate civil unrest and military conflicts worldwide.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

General Milley held the position of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from September 30, 2019, until September 30, 2023.

Trump Administration's Initial Term

On December 8, 2018, President Trump declared his intention to appoint Milley as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, despite opposition from Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis and then-Chairman General Joseph Dunford, who both preferred Air Force Chief of Staff General David L. Goldfein. Although Milley was originally a candidate for commander of the United States European Command and Supreme Allied Commander Europe, following an interview with Trump, he was instead put forward for the chairmanship. The Senate confirmed his nomination with an 89–1 vote on July 25, 2019, and Milley officially assumed the position on September 30.

Following his participation in the 75th anniversary events commemorating the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium on December 16, 2019, Milley met with Russian Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov in Bern, Switzerland, on December 18. This meeting was part of a continuing dialogue initiated by Milley's predecessor in 2017 to maintain open channels and reduce tensions in areas of conflict.

During Trump's campaign for re-election, an image including Vice President Mike Pence, Trump, Esper, and Milley was featured in a Trump political advertisement without Milley's approval; the ad was subsequently withdrawn.

Incident at St. John's Church

On June 1, 2020, amidst the demonstrations, Milley appeared in combat uniform as he accompanied President Trump from the White House across Lafayette Square to St. John's Episcopal Church. This occurred roughly thirty minutes after federal law enforcement employed tear gas and other crowd control measures to clear protestors, provoking significant criticism from former military officials and others.

According to Peril, Milley had been abruptly redirected from a scheduled FBI engagement to join the walk and departed immediately after recognizing its political nature along with Esper. He expressed to Esper that he felt "sick" and was "fucking done with this shit." As a result, Milley did not participate in Trump's subsequent photo opportunity. The House Armed Services Committee later summoned both Esper and Milley to provide testimony regarding the military's involvement in managing the protests; they complied on July 9.

Unsent resignation letter

Milley is reported to have composed a strongly worded resignation letter addressed to President Trump in response to the St. John's Church episode but ultimately chose not to submit it. This letter became public in 2022. Rather than stepping down, Milley issued an apology via video during his commencement speech at the National Defense University on June 11, acknowledging that his presence had created an impression of military involvement in domestic political matters.

After the 2020 election

In the aftermath of Trump's defeat in the November 2020 election and his efforts to challenge the outcome—culminating in the January 6 Capitol riot—Milley grew increasingly alarmed by the possibility of a coup attempt. The book I Alone Can Fix It reveals that he consulted with his deputies about preventing such a scenario, stressing that any coup would require support from the military, CIA, and FBI, and would inevitably fail without their cooperation.

Milley described Trump's behavior as a "Reichstag moment," drawing parallels between unfounded claims of election fraud and Nazi propaganda. He reassured law enforcement and military personnel assigned to secure Biden’s inauguration that they would thwart any attempts to disrupt the event, pledging a "ring of steel" around Washington, D.C. Trump denied any coup plots and falsely asserted that Obama had dismissed Milley.

On January 12, 2021, Milley and the Joint Chiefs publicly condemned the Capitol insurrection, reminding all service members of their constitutional obligation to reject extremism and uphold lawful authority. They reaffirmed the military’s dedication to obeying legal civilian directives and ensuring public safety. Milley later characterized the military’s response on January 6 as swift, although Speaker Nancy Pelosi contested this version and called for an official investigation commission.

Calls with Chinese general

In mid-2020, Pentagon officials grew concerned that China might have received inaccurate intelligence suggesting a potential surprise U.S. strike. The Pentagon validated these worries, and then-Defense Secretary Esper instructed Milley and deputy assistant defense secretary Chad Sbragia in October to communicate with Chinese officials assuring them that the U.S. had no intention of provoking a military crisis with China. Milley contacted his Chinese counterpart on October 30.

As detailed in Woodward and Costa’s Peril, on October 30, 2020—mere days before the U.S. presidential election—Milley told General Li Zuocheng: "The American government is stable... We will not attack... If we were to attack, I would call you beforehand." He placed a follow-up call in January 2021 after the 2021 United States Capitol attack, reaffirming U.S. stability despite ongoing democratic unrest. Two days prior, Sbragia had also reached out to his Chinese counterpart under authorization from acting Defense Secretary Christopher C. Miller.

Both conversations took place via video conference with roughly fifteen participants present, including a representative from the State Department. CNN reported that Milley consulted with Esper before making the October call. A former senior defense official informed Politico that Milley sought Miller's approval for the January call; Miller acknowledged being aware but did not engage in detailed follow-up. On September 15, Miller denied authorizing these communications and called for Milley's resignation, although sources indicated both Esper and Miller had been informed.

Two days later, Miller clarified that he was likely unaware of routine communications like these and was only criticizing the October call specifically. During a congressional hearing on September 28, 2021, Milley testified that both calls were coordinated with staff from Esper’s and Miller’s offices before and after they occurred. The Wall Street Journal reported Pentagon officials confirmed Miller had been notified. Milley’s spokesperson stated that all such calls are staffed, coordinated, and communicated within the Department of Defense and across agencies.

Milley characterized these calls as "routine... measures to maintain strategic stability" and consistent with his duties as chairman. In Senate and House Armed Services Committee hearings held on September 28–29, he emphasized that his intent was not to undermine Trump but rather to reduce tensions by repeatedly assuring General Li that Trump harbored no plans for an attack. After the Capitol riot, Milley also reassured military leaders internationally—including those in the United Kingdom—that the U.S. government remained stable and firmly in control.

Discussion on nuclear launch protocol

According to Woodward and Costa, following the Capitol riot, Milley grew concerned that Trump might act independently, which led him to mandate direct consultation before any military directives from Trump, including those involving nuclear weapons. He also directed the heads of the CIA and NSA to maintain vigilant surveillance of unfolding events. Certain officials criticized this move as an unwarranted intrusion into the command hierarchy. On 8 January, Milley reassured House Speaker Nancy Pelosi that the control mechanisms for nuclear weapons remained secure and that no unlawful or unethical orders would be executed.

Further measures

Milley's conduct faced intense backlash from Republican figures. Trump dismissed these accounts as "fabricated news," denying any intention to attack China and suggesting Milley deserved to be "charged with treason" for contacting China without presidential consent.

Marco Rubio, the Senate Intelligence Committee's top Republican, called for Milley's dismissal, accusing him of undermining presidential authority and leaking classified information to China. Numerous Republican leaders demanded Milley's resignation, removal, or court-martial. Additionally, 27 House Republicans from the Freedom Caucus sought a formal inquiry alongside suspension of Milley's security clearance.

Alexander Vindman argued that Milley should step down if he breached the chain of command. Conversely, historian and Brookings Institution fellow Max Boot defended Milley’s actions as necessary under the circumstances and called for critics to apologize. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki expressed President Biden’s continued confidence in Milley, with Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby affirming that Secretary Austin fully supported him.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin voiced no doubts about Milley’s authority, underscoring reliance on him to avert catastrophe. President Biden later reiterated his strong confidence in Milley. Senator Angus King commended Milley’s service, while Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Jack Reed highlighted that reducing tensions was integral to Milley’s responsibilities. Former UN ambassador and Trump national security adviser John Bolton described Milley as a "firm defender of the Constitution and rule of law."

Biden administration

Following Joe Biden’s inauguration in January 2021, Milley was invited to continue as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and accepted the role. He formally handed over his duties to General Charles Q. Brown Jr. on 29 September 2023, with his term concluding officially on 30 September.

An Associated Press investigation published in June 2021 revealed that over the previous ten years, at least 1,900 U.S. military firearms had been lost or stolen, predominantly from the U.S. Army. Some of these weapons later appeared in violent crimes, including transactions with a California street gang. Reports suggest Milley was alarmed by these revelations and contemplated comprehensive reforms for firearm accountability; however, some critics argue he minimized the severity of the issue.

In November 2022, Milley called on Russia and Ukraine to seek a "political resolution" to the Russo-Ukrainian War, emphasizing that a purely military victory was improbable. By February 2023, he assessed that Russia had suffered defeat "strategically, operationally, and tactically," incurring "a tremendous cost on the battlefield" in Ukraine.

Advocacy for an apolitical military

On June 30, 2021, Trump demanded Milley's resignation, accusing him of failing to protect the U.S. armed forces from what he termed "Leftist Radicals who despise [the United States] and [its flag]." This statement came after Milley endorsed exploring a range of perspectives, including "critical race theory," and amid reports of a heated argument between Milley and Trump over the military's role during the 2020–2021 US racial protests. Trump denied the confrontation and accused Milley of fabricating the event.

Earlier, on June 23, 2021, Milley publicly rebuked Florida Republican Representative Matt Gaetz for branding the U.S. military as "woke" because of its incorporation of "critical race theory" into West Point’s curriculum. Milley emphasized his intent "to comprehend white rage – and I am white," referencing the January 6 Capitol insurrection.

In their September 2021 publication, Peril, journalists Bob Woodward and Robert Costa disclosed that post-election, Milley became aware of a Trump directive to pull all troops out of Afghanistan by January 15, 2021—an order crafted by Trump loyalists without consultation from national security officials. The book also noted that CIA director Gina Haspel alerted Milley to a possible right-wing coup attempt and concerns about Trump potentially striking Iran.

During testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee on September 28, Milley refuted claims in the book that he concurred with Nancy Pelosi’s assessment that Trump was "crazy," stating he was "not qualified to evaluate the mental state of the president of the United States."

Intimidation from Trump

In September 2023, Trump posted on Truth Social condemning Milley's communication with Chinese officials after the Capitol riot as "an act so egregious that... the punishment would have been DEATH." Milley responded by affirming he would take necessary precautions to protect himself and his family. In 2024, Milley voiced apprehension about facing a court-martial if Trump returned to office, labeling him "the most dangerous person ever" and a "fascist through and through." On January 19, 2025, President Biden issued preemptive pardons for Milley and others involved, clarifying these pardons did not imply any guilt.

Afghanistan withdrawal

In December 2020, Milley engaged with the Taliban in Doha, aiming to advance peace negotiations between them and the Afghan government while advocating for continued U.S. troop deployment to deter future terrorist threats. As U.S. forces prepared to exit, the Taliban initiated a swift military campaign amid the rapid disintegration of Afghan security forces. U.S. intelligence predicted that the Afghan government would collapse within six months following withdrawal completion. By July 2021, Milley reported that Taliban forces controlled approximately half of Afghanistan’s districts. The Taliban seized Kabul on August 15, 2021, prompting an international evacuation operation at Kabul International Airport under temporary U.S. and NATO authority.

After a suicide bombing at Kabul Airport on August 26, 2021—resulting in 183 fatalities including 13 American service members—Republican legislators demanded resignations from President Biden, Vice President Harris, Secretary Blinken, Defense Secretary Austin, and Milley.

During September 2021 hearings before both Senate and House Armed Services Committees, Milley characterized the withdrawal from Afghanistan as "a logistical success but a strategic failure," rejecting calls for his dismissal. On an October 25, 2024 podcast with Joe Rogan, Donald Trump asserted that Milley had remarked "It's cheaper to leave it" concerning military equipment abandoned in Afghanistan.

Initiatives during the second Trump presidency

Shortly after Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president on 20 January 2025, Milley's official portrait was taken down from a hallway in the Pentagon that displayed portraits of previous chiefs. The following day, the wall was repaired and repainted. A U.S. official informed the New York Times that the directive for removal came from the White House.

On 29 January, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth revoked Milley's security clearance, removed his authorization for a security detail, and initiated a review of his conduct as Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff with potential consideration for demotion.

Military operations involvement

Milley has been engaged in several significant military missions such as:

• Multinational Force and Observers, Sinai Peninsula, Egypt
• Operation Just Cause, Panama
• Operation Uphold Democracy, Haiti
• Operation Joint Endeavor, Bosnia-Herzegovina
• Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq
• Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan

Rank advancement timeline

Promotions

Insignia	Rank	Date
	Second lieutenant	10 June 1980
	First lieutenant	28 November 1981
	Captain	1 March 1984
	Major	1 May 1992
	Lieutenant colonel	1 August 1996
	Colonel	1 April 2002
	Brigadier general	2 June 2008
	Major general	2 March 2011
	Lieutenant general	20 December 2012
	General	15 August 2014

Assignment history summary

Start	Finish	Role	Location
1980	1984	Student, United States Naval War College	Newport, Rhode Island
2000	2002	Assistant Chief of Staff (G3), later Chief of Staff, 25th Infantry Division (Light)	Schofield Barracks, Hawaii
2002	2002	Commander, US Provisional Brigade/Task Force Eagle, 25th Infantry Division (Light), Multinational Division (North)	Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina
2002	2003	Deputy Chief of Staff for Transformation (G-7), 25th Infantry Division (Light)	Schofield Barracks, Hawaii
2003	2005	Commander, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light)	Fort Drum, New York
2005	2006	Chief, Global Force Management Division; Assistant Deputy Director for Joint Operations (J-3), Joint Staff	The Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
2006	2007	Military Assistant to the United States Secretary of Defense, Office of the Secretary of Defense	The Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
July 2007	June 2009	Deputy Commanding General (Operations), 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)	Fort Campbell, Kentucky
June 2009	November 2011	Deputy Director for Regional Operations (J-3), Joint Staff	The Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
4 November 2011	3 December 2012	Commanding General, 10th Mountain Division (Light)	Fort Drum, New York
20 December 2012	August 2014	Commanding General, III Corps and Fort Hood; Commander, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command and Deputy Commander, United States Forces-Afghanistan	Fort Hood, Texas
15 August 2014	10 August 2015	Commanding General, United States Army Forces Command	Fort Bragg, North Carolina
14 August 2015	9 August 2019	Chief of Staff of the United States Army	The Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
1 October 2019	30 September 2023	Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff	The Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

Honors and Decorations

General Milley has been the recipient of a wide array of honors:

Right Breast		Left Breast
Template:Ribbon devices Template:Ribbon devices		Template:Ribbon devices Template:Ribbon devices Template:Ribbon devices Template:Ribbon devices Template:Ribbon devices Template:Ribbon devices Template:Ribbon devices Template:Ribbon devices Template:Ribbon devices Template:Ribbon devices

Additional Honors
	Presidential Commendation (Trump)

Civilian Career

In February 2024, Milley began appointments at both Georgetown University and Princeton University. At Georgetown, he holds the position of distinguished fellow in residence within the Security Studies Program of the School of Foreign Service. Meanwhile, Princeton's School of Public and International Affairs named him Charles and Marie Robertson visiting professor and lecturer, a role he will maintain through June 2025. Additionally, he took on a senior advisory role at JPMorgan Chase and affiliated with the Harry Walker Agency, a prominent speakers' bureau.

Personal Life

Milley wed Hollyanne Haas in May 1985; the couple has two children. Hollyanne is a critical care and cardiac nurse practicing in Northern Virginia. During the 2020 Veterans Day event at Arlington National Cemetery, she notably performed CPR on a veteran who had collapsed, successfully saving his life.

On 20 January 2025, President Joe Biden issued a preemptive pardon shielding Milley from any potential legal actions by the incoming Trump administration. Shortly thereafter, Trump announced via Truth Social that Milley had been removed from the National Infrastructure Advisory Council, along with three other appointees from the Biden administration.

Articles

• America Isn't Ready for the Wars of the Future, Foreign Affairs, 5 August 2024 (co-authored with Eric Schmidt)

External links

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-