Who is the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff?

The current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is General Mark Milley. He assumed the position on September 30, 2019. The role of the Chairman is to advise the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the National Security Council on military matters and serve as the highest-ranking officer in the U.S. Armed Forces. General Milley's leadership has been instrumental in navigating various strategic military challenges faced by the United States.

The other individuals mentioned have served in the role of Chairman in the past but are not the current holders of the position. General Joseph Dunford served as Chairman from September 2015 until September 2019. General Martin Dempsey held the position from 2011 to 2015. General Lloyd Austin is currently the Secretary of Defense but has not served as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Understanding the timeline of their service highlights why General Milley is the correct answer for the current role.