Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff - Definition and Overview

The top uniformed officer of the United States military, and the principal military advisor to the President of the United States. He (there have not, so far, been any women) leads meetings and coordinates the efforts of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, comprised of the chiefs of staff of the United States Army and United States Air Force, the Chief of Naval Operations, the Commandant of the United States Marine Corps and the Commandant of the Coast Guard. The Joint Chiefs of Staff have offices in The Pentagon.

Past Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff have included:

1. William D. Leahy, USN (July 20, 1942-March 21 1949) [1]
2. Omar N. Bradley, USA (August 16, 1949-August 15 1953)
3. Arthur W. Radford, USN (August 15 1953 - August 15 1957)
4. Nathan F. Twining, USAF (August 15 1957 - September 30, 1960)
5. Lyman L. Lemnitzer, USA (October 1, 1960 - September 30, 1962)
6. Maxwell D. Taylor, USA (October 1, 1962 - July 1, 1964)
7. Earle G. Wheeler, USA (July 3, 1964 - July 2, 1970)
8. Thomas H. Moorer, USN (July 2, 1970 - July 1, 1974)
9. George S. Brown, USAF (July 1, 1974 - June 20, 1978)
10. David C. Jones, USAF (June 21, 1978 - June 18, 1982)
11. John W. Vessey, Jr., USA (June 18, 1982 - September 30, 1985)
12. William J. Crowe, Jr., USN (October 1, 1985 - September 30, 1989)
13. Colin L. Powell, USA (October 1, 1989 - September 30, 1993)
14. David E. Jeremiah, USN (acting) (October 1, 1993 - October 24, 1993)
15. John M. Shalikashvili, USA (October 25, 1993 - September 30, 1997)
16. Henry H. Shelton, USA (October 1, 1997 - September 30, 2001)
17. Richard B. Myers, USAF (October 1, 2001-present)

[1] Fleet Admiral Leahy's title was Chief of Staff to the Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy.