WASHINGTON (AP) – Gen. Martin Dempsey is stepping down as the military’s top officer after four tumultuous years of war, budget cuts and the strains of combat on a battle-worn force.
He is turning over his responsibilities to Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford, who is taking over as tensions surge with Russia, U.S. troops wage war against militants in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan, and the effort to train and equip Syrian rebels struggles to find its footing.
The transfer of responsibility took place during an afternoon of marching bands, Irish songs, speeches and military pomp Friday, under cloudy skies at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Virginia, with President Barack Obama and other senior defense leaders and military commanders in the audience.