Obama nominates Gen. Martin Dempsey as chairman of Army . Adm. Michael Mullen is nominated as vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff . Gen. Ray Odierno is nominated to replace Dempsey as the the Joint Chiefs of Staff 's chief of staff . But in a 30-minute meeting with Obama before the president left for his recent trip to Europe , Cartwright was told he would not get the job , according to a Defense Department official with direct knowledge of the meeting . Adm. Michael Mullen 's term as head of the joint chiefs ends in every week .
Obama nominates Gen. Martin Dempsey as chairman of Army . Adm. Michael Mullen is nominated as vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff . Gen. Ray Odierno is nominated to replace Dempsey as the the Joint Chiefs of Staff 's chief of staff . Adm. Michael Mullen 's term as head of the joint chiefs ends in every week .