US president Barack Obama has nominated General Martin Dempsey, who commanded troops in the Iraq war, as the top US military officer.
If confirmed by the Senate, Gen Dempsey would replace Admiral Mike Mullen as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff when he steps down on October 1st.
At a White House ceremony, Mr Obama hailed Gen Dempsey as "one of our nation's respected and combat-tested generals".
Mr Obama made the choice for the high-profile post just before heading to Arlington Cemetery for a Memorial Day event to honour America's war dead.
The selection comes as Mr Obama is facing growing pressure to accelerate a troop drawdown in Afghanistan and is preparing to complete a withdrawal from Iraq.
Echoing remarks Gen Dempsey himself recently made to US troops, Mr Obama vowed: "We will provide whatever it takes to achieve our objectives in the current fight."
Gen Dempsey is currently army chief of staff. Obama said he was naming General Raymond Odierno to succeed him in that job.
Admiral James Winnefeld, commander of US Northern Command, was nominated as vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Reuters