President Bush has officially named his choice for the new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Navy Admiral Mike Mullen.
The president made the announcement in Washington Thursday, three weeks after General Peter Pace announced he was stepping down in September.
Mr. Bush expressed confidence that Mullen will do a good job.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates recommended the admiral, saying he has vision, strategic insight and integrity to lead America's armed forces.
Mullen's nomination requires Senate confirmation.
Earlier this month, Secretary Gates acknowledged to reporters that he had originally planned to recommend that President Bush re-nominate General Pace. But Gates said he changed his mind to avoid a contentious Senate confirmation process, involving an examination of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Gates said General Pace will retire when his term ends in September after more than 40 years in the U.S. Marines.
President Bush also nominated Marine General James Cartwright to serve as vice chairman of the joint chiefs of staff Thursday, replacing Navy Admiral Edmund Giambastiani.
Some information for this report was provided by Reuters.
