General Joseph F Dunford Jnr

Joseph Francis Dunford, Jr. (born December 8, 1955) is a United States Marine Corps general. He is currently the 19th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was also the 36th Commandant of the Marine Corps. Earlier in his career, Dunford served as commander of the International Security Assistance Force and United States Forces-Afghanistan. He has commanded several units, including the 5th Marine Regiment during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. On July 29, 2015, Dunford was confirmed by the Senate to be the 19th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Dunford became the highest-ranking military officer in the United States Armed Forces on October 1, 2015

EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION

Dunford was born in Boston in 1955, and raised in Quincy, Massachusetts. He is of Irish background and has been described as a "fervent Catholic." He graduated from Boston College High School in 1973 and from Saint Michael's College in June 1977. He earned his commission the month of his college graduation. He is a graduate of the United States Army War College, Ranger School and the Amphibious Warfare School. He holds a Master of Arts degree in Government from Georgetown University and a second Master of Arts in International Relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.

CAREERIn 1978, Dunford served in the 1st Marine Division as a platoon and company commander in 3rd Battalion 1st Marines and a company commander in 1st Battalion 9th Marines until 1981. He served as the aide to the commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force for a year, then transferred to the Officer Assignment Branch at Headquarters Marine Corps in Washington, D.C.. He reported to the 2nd Marine Division in June 1985 and commanded L Company of 3rd Battalion 6th Marines. In 1987, he was reassigned to 2nd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company as the Operations, Plans, and Training Officer.From 1988 to 1991, Dunford was assigned as the Marine Officer Instructor at the College of the Holy Cross and Officer Candidates School at Marine Corps Base Quantico. In 1992, he was assigned to HQMC as a member of the Commandant’s staff group and subsequently as the Senior Aide to the Commandant of the Marine Corps. In 1995, he joined the 6th Marine Regiment as the executive officer, then went on to command 2nd Battalion 6th Marines from 1996 until 1998.In 1999, Dunford was the executive assistant to the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (under both Generals Josep