:Mark Milley

{{Infobox military person

| image = GEN Mark A. Milley portrait.jpg

| alt =

| caption = Official portrait, 2023

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| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1958|6|20|df=y}}

| birth_place = Winchester, Massachusetts, U.S.

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| allegiance = United States

| branch = United States Army

| serviceyears = 1980–2023

| rank = General

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| battles = {{Tree list}}

| awards = {{ubl|Defense Distinguished Service Medal (3)|Army Distinguished Service Medal (5)|Defense Superior Service Medal (3)|Legion of Merit (3)|Bronze Star Medal (4)}}

| alma_mater = {{plainlist|

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| spouse = {{marriage|Hollyanne Haas|1985}}

| children = 2

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| module = {{Listen|pos=center|embed=yes|filename=GEN Mark A. Milley on Technological Changes to Warfare and its Role in the FY2021 Defense Budget.ogg|title=Mark Milley's voice|type=speech|description=Mark Milley on how technology changes warfare and its role in the FY2021 defense budget
Recorded 26 February 2020}}

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Mark Alexander Milley (born 20 June 1958) is a retired United States Army general who served as the 20th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from October 1, 2019, to September 30, 2023. He had previously served as the 39th chief of staff of the Army from August 14, 2015, to August 9, 2019{{cite web |url=https://www.army.mil/leaders/csa/?from=wiki |title=Chief of Staff of the Army |publisher=United States Army |access-date=December 11, 2018 |archive-date=June 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180624035954/https://www.army.mil/leaders/csa/?from=wiki |url-status=live }} and held multiple command and staff positions in eight divisions and special forces.

A Reserve Officers' Training Corps graduate from Princeton University, Milley earned his commission as an armor officer in 1980. He later received a master's degree from Columbia University. During his first term, President Donald Trump appointed Milley chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, making him the tenth U.S. Army officer to be chairman. As chairman, Milley was the highest-ranking officer in the United States Armed Forces and the principal military advisor to the president of the United States, the secretary of defense, the National Security Council and the Homeland Security Council.{{USC|10|151}} - Joint Chiefs of Staff: composition; functions

Following threats by Trump, President Joe Biden issued preemptive pardons to Milley and other officials before he left office on January 20, 2025. Hours after Trump's inauguration for his second term that same day, Milley's official portrait, unveiled at the Pentagon on January 10, was removed. A few days later, his security clearance was suspended and his security detail withdrawn.

Early life and education

Milley was born on 20 June 1958, in Winchester, Massachusetts.{{cite web |url=https://www.congress.gov/114/chrg/shrg24274/CHRG-114shrg24274.pdf |title=Nominations Before the Senate Armed Services Committee, First Session, 114th Congress |access-date=October 30, 2021 |archive-date=October 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015150510/https://www.congress.gov/114/chrg/shrg24274/CHRG-114shrg24274.pdf |url-status=live }} Page 581 He is of Irish descent, and was raised Roman Catholic.{{cite news |last=Ryan |first=Missy |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/trump-biden-milley-transition-military/2021/06/22/44df70ea-c9f1-11eb-93fa-9053a95eb9f2_story.html |title=For military's top man, navigating the Trump-Biden transition is his biggest test yet |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=June 22, 2021 |access-date=October 31, 2021 |archive-date=June 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623093613/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/trump-biden-milley-transition-military/2021/06/22/44df70ea-c9f1-11eb-93fa-9053a95eb9f2_story.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|url = https://www.irishcentral.com/news/politics/general-mark-milley-peril|title = General Milley's fighting Irish roots helped him stand up to Trump|website=Irish Central|date = September 17, 2021|access-date = September 17, 2021|archive-date = September 21, 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210921201818/https://www.irishcentral.com/news/politics/general-mark-milley-peril|url-status = live}} His paternal grandfather, Peter (1897–1976), was from Newfoundland{{cite web|url= https://www.saltwire.com/nova-scotia/news/update-trumps-right-hand-man-has-roots-in-newfoundland-397626/|title= Trump's right-hand man has roots in Newfoundland|website=The Telegram|access-date= July 1, 2023|archive-date= July 2, 2023|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230702041523/https://www.saltwire.com/nova-scotia/news/update-trumps-right-hand-man-has-roots-in-newfoundland-397626/|url-status= live|last1= Mullaley|first1= Rosie}} and served with the Royal Newfoundland Regiment during the Gallipoli campaign in World War I.{{cite news |last=Blackmore |first=Sarah |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/memorial-day-st-johns-2023-1.6894652 |title=Hundreds gather for Memorial Day ceremony in St. John's |newspaper=CBC |date=July 1, 2023 |access-date=July 1, 2023 |archive-date=July 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701182200/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/memorial-day-st-johns-2023-1.6894652 |url-status=live }} His father, Alexander (1924–2015), enlisted in the U.S. Navy in March 1943 as a naval corpsman. He was assigned to the 4th Marine Division and landed at Kwajalein, Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima. After the war, he worked as a restaurateur and food-broker. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, whose membership is limited to Catholic men.{{cite web|url= https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/wickedlocal-somerville/name/alexander-milley-obituary?pid=174681978|title= Alexander Milley Obituary|website=Wicked Local Somerville|publisher=Legacy|access-date= August 18, 2021|archive-date= August 19, 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210819135706/https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/wickedlocal-somerville/name/alexander-milley-obituary?pid=174681978|url-status= live}}{{cite news |first=John |last=Grady |url=https://news.usni.org/2020/02/19/joint-chiefs-chair-milley-remembers-fathers-navy-service-at-iwo-jima |title=Joint Chiefs Chair Milley Remembers Father's Service at Iwo Jima |work=USNI News |access-date=August 18, 2021 |date=February 19, 2020 |archive-date=December 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207141541/https://news.usni.org/2020/02/19/joint-chiefs-chair-milley-remembers-fathers-navy-service-at-iwo-jima |url-status=live }} Milley's mother, Mary Elizabeth (née Murphy), was a nurse who served with the Navy's WAVES in World War II and is described by Milley as a "break-the-glass-ceiling" type of woman.{{cite news |url=https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/11/13/hollyanne-milley-wife-of-joint-chiefs-chairman-saves-veterans-life-arlington.html |title=Hollyanne Milley, Wife of Joint Chiefs Chairman, Saves Veteran's Life at Arlington |last=Sisk |first=Richard |date=November 13, 2020 |website=Military.com |access-date=October 30, 2021 |archive-date=June 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627134521/https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/11/13/hollyanne-milley-wife-of-joint-chiefs-chairman-saves-veterans-life-arlington.html |url-status=live }}

{{external media

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| video1 = [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSU9FxMMn9g Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, General Mark Milley on The David Rubenstein Show], The David Rubenstein Show, 20 October 2021

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Milley attended a Catholic grammar school where he played hockey. Good grades and athletic ability led to him being recruited to Belmont Hill School.{{cite news |last=Berkowitz |first=Bram |title=Winchester Native Mark A. Milley Becomes U.S. Army Chief of Staff |url=http://winchester.wickedlocal.com/article/20150827/NEWS/150827482 |work=The Winchester Star |date=August 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905073921/http://winchester.wickedlocal.com/article/20150827/NEWS/150827482 |archive-date=September 5, 2015 |access-date=October 31, 2021 |url-status=live }} and afterwards to Princeton University where he played varsity ice hockey.{{cite web |last=Harris |first=Mary |title=The Truth About Mark Milley |url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2021/09/milley-trump-woodward-peril-nukes.html |work=Slate |date=September 21, 2021 |access-date=October 31, 2021 |archive-date=October 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031132258/https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2021/09/milley-trump-woodward-peril-nukes.html |url-status=live }}

There he joined the Reserve Officers' Training Corps,{{cite web|last=Cooper|first=Helene|title=How Mark Milley, a General Who Mixes Bluntness and Banter, Became Trump's Top Military Adviser|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/29/us/politics/mark-milley-chairman-joint-chiefs.html|work=The New York Times|date=September 29, 2019|access-date=November 1, 2021|archive-date=October 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014215357/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/29/us/politics/mark-milley-chairman-joint-chiefs.html|url-status=live}} and in 1980 graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in politics after completing a 185-page-long senior thesis titled "The Irish Republican Army: A Critical Analysis of Revolutionary Guerrilla Organization in Theory and Practice".{{citation |last=Milley|first=Mark Alexander|year=1980|publisher=Princeton University. Department of Politics|publication-place=Princeton, New Jersey|title=A Critical Analysis of Revolutionary Guerrilla Organization in Theory and Practice|url=https://catalog.princeton.edu/catalog/dsp01cc08hh28h|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407042145/https://catalog.princeton.edu/catalog/dsp01cc08hh28h|archive-date=April 7, 2022}} Milley holds a Master of International Affairs degree from the School of International & Public Affairs at Columbia University and another Master of Arts degree in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College.{{cite web |url=http://www.forscom.army.mil/cmd_staff/gen_milley/gen_milley.htm|publisher=United States Army|title=General Mark A. Milley: Commanding General|access-date=August 27, 2015|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906014951/http://www.forscom.army.mil/cmd_staff/GEN_Milley/GEN_Milley.htm |archive-date=September 6, 2015}} He is also an attendee of the MIT Center for International Studies Seminar XXI National Security Studies Program.{{cite web |url=http://semxxi.mit.edu/about/messages/from-the-director |title=From the Director: September, 2015 |last=Art |first=Robert |date=September 1, 2015 |website=MIT Seminar XXI |publisher=Massachusetts Institute of Technology |access-date=November 11, 2015 |archive-date=October 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008201527/http://semxxi.mit.edu/about/messages/from-the-director |url-status=live }}

Military career

File:Defense.gov photo essay 080201-D-7203T-011.jpg administers the oath of office upon Milley's promotion to brigadier general in February 2008.|left]]

Milley earned his commission as an armor officer through Princeton's Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps program in 1980.{{cite web |last=Graham-Ashley |first=Heather |url=https://www.army.mil/article/93394 |title=III Corps' new commander views road ahead, training, support |publisher=III Corps and Fort Hood Public Affairs |date=December 20, 2012 |access-date=January 2, 2013 |archive-date=October 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008201520/https://www.army.mil/article/93394 |url-status=live }} His career included assignments with the 82nd Airborne Division, 5th Special Forces Group,Gal Perl Finkel, [https://www.jpost.com/Opinion/The-IDF-that-Eisenkot-leaves-behind-is-ready-575993 The IDF that Eisenkot leaves behind is ready] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110005257/https://www.jpost.com/opinion/the-idf-that-eisenkot-leaves-behind-is-ready-575993 |date=November 10, 2020 }}, The Jerusalem Post, January 1, 2019. 7th Infantry Division, 2nd Infantry Division, Joint Readiness Training Center, 25th Infantry Division, Operations Staff of the Joint Staff, and a posting as Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense.[http://www.forscom.army.mil/cmd_staff/GEN_Milley/GEN_Milley.htm U.S. Army Forces Command, Commanding General] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906014951/http://www.forscom.army.mil/cmd_staff/GEN_Milley/GEN_Milley.htm |date=September 6, 2015}}, www.army.mil/forscom, dated August 15, 2014, last accessed August 15, 2015.

Milley held multiple command and staff positions in eight divisions and units, including the 5th Special Forces Group and 10th Mountain Division, throughout his military career. He served as a commander of ODA 543, a 12-man combat diver-qualified Special Forces team. He commanded 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry, 2nd Infantry Division, in South Korea from 1996 to 1998.{{cite web |url=https://www.congress.gov/114/chrg/shrg24274/CHRG-114shrg24274.pdf |title=Nominations Before the Senate Armed Services Committee, First Session, 114th Congress |access-date=October 30, 2021 |archive-date=October 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015150510/https://www.congress.gov/114/chrg/shrg24274/CHRG-114shrg24274.pdf |url-status=live }} Page 579 He served as commander of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light) from December 2003 to July 2005; deputy commanding general for operations of the 101st Airborne Division from July 2007 to April 2008, and as commanding general of the 10th Mountain Division from November 2011 to December 2012.{{cite web |last=Block |first=Gordon |url=http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20121204/NEWS03/712049844 |title=Fort Drum welcomes new 10th Mountain Division commander at ceremony |publisher=Watertown Daily Times |date=December 4, 2012 |access-date=January 2, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914203322/http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20121204/NEWS03/712049844 |archive-date=September 14, 2018 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nysenate.gov/sites/default/files/Senate%20Reso%20Honoring%20MG%20Mark%20A%20Milley_0.pdf|title=State of New York, Senate Resolution No. 2911|last=Ritchie|first=Patricia|date=January 19, 2012|publisher=New York Senate|access-date=October 12, 2021|archive-date=February 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170221183110/https://www.nysenate.gov/sites/default/files/Senate%20Reso%20Honoring%20MG%20Mark%20A%20Milley_0.pdf|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/article/92020/milley_to_relinquish_command_monday|title=Milley to relinquish command Monday|date=November 29, 2012|publisher=U.S. Army|website=Army.mil|access-date=October 12, 2021|archive-date=October 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151026012654/http://www.army.mil/article/92020/Milley_to_relinquish_command_Monday/|url-status=live}} Milley commanded III Corps, based at Fort Hood, Texas, from December 2012 to August 2014,{{cite web|url=http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/pentagon/2015/05/13/new-army-chief-of-staff-named/27232781/|title=Gen. Mark Milley picked for Army chief of staff|author=Michelle Tan, Staff writer|date=May 13, 2015|work=Army Times|access-date=August 17, 2015|archive-date=September 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918004603/https://www.armytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2015/05/13/gen-mark-milley-picked-for-army-chief-of-staff/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/article/93394/iii_corps_new_commander_views_road_ahead_training_support|title=III Corps' new commander views road ahead, training, support|last=Graham-Ashley|first=Heather|date=December 20, 2012|website=Army.mil|access-date=October 12, 2021|archive-date=October 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008201534/https://www.army.mil/article/93394/iii_corps_new_commander_views_road_ahead_training_support|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.dvidshub.net/news/138783/iii-corps-gains-new-commanding-general-milley-confirmed-take-command-forscom|title=III Corps gains new commanding general: Milley confirmed to take command of FORSCOM|date=August 8, 2012|publisher=Fort Hood Public Affairs Office|website=DVIDS|access-date=October 12, 2021|archive-date=January 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106084113/https://www.dvidshub.net/news/138783/iii-corps-gains-new-commanding-general-milley-confirmed-take-command-forscom|url-status=live}} and concurrently the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command from May 2013 to February 2014.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dvidshub.net/news/106230/lt-gen-mark-milley-takes-command-international-security-assistance-force-joint-command|title=Lt. Gen. Mark A. Milley takes command of International Security Assistance Force Joint Command|last=Caldwell|first=Jacob|publisher=ISAF Joint Command|date=May 2, 2013|website=DVIDS|access-date=October 12, 2021|archive-date=September 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915154732/https://www.dvidshub.net/news/106230/lt-gen-mark-milley-takes-command-international-security-assistance-force-joint-command|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/article/119875/iii_corps_completes_mission_in_afghanistan_returns_to_the_waiting_arms_of_family_and_friends_in_tx|title=III Corps completes mission in Afghanistan, returns to the waiting arms of family and friends in TX|last=Scar|first=Ken|date=February 11, 2014|website=Army.mil|access-date=October 12, 2021|archive-date=July 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717122336/https://www.army.mil/article/119875/iii_corps_completes_mission_in_afghanistan_returns_to_the_waiting_arms_of_family_and_friends_in_tx|url-status=live}} He served as the commanding general of the United States Army Forces Command at Fort Bragg, North Carolina from August 2014 to August 2015.{{Cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/article/131856/milley_takes_forscom_colors_allyn_departs_fort_bragg_to_become_army_vice_chief|title=Milley takes FORSCOM colors, Allyn departs Fort Bragg to become Army vice chief|date=August 18, 2014|last=Hinnant|first=Jim|website=U.S. Army|access-date=October 13, 2021|archive-date=December 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191206125000/https://www.army.mil/article-amp/131856/milley_takes_forscom_colors_allyn_departs_fort_bragg_to_become_army_vice_chief|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/article/212549/abrams_relinquishes_command_of_forscom|title=Abrams relinquishes command of FORSCOM|last=Meinhardt|first=Eve|date=October 17, 2018|website=U.S. Army|access-date=October 13, 2021|archive-date=February 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217212646/https://www.army.mil/article/212549/abrams_relinquishes_command_of_forscom|url-status=live}}

= Chief of Staff of the Army =

File:Milley Takes Oath as CSA.jpg administers the oath of office to incoming Army chief of staff Milley during the change of responsibility ceremony on August 14, 2015.]]

Milley was appointed chief of staff of the Army on August 14, 2015.{{cite web|first=Michelle|last=Tan|date=August 14, 2015|title=Milley takes over as new chief of staff; Odierno retires|url=http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/pentagon/2015/08/14/milley-takes-over-new-chief-staff-odierno-retires/31728117/|work=Army Times|access-date=August 17, 2015|archive-date=October 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010132843/https://www.armytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2015/08/14/milley-takes-over-as-new-chief-of-staff-odierno-retires/|url-status=live}} In his initial message to the U.S. Army, General Milley laid out his priorities on readiness, the future Army, and taking care of troops. "We must ensure the Army remains ready as the world's premier combat force. Readiness for ground combat is—and will remain—the U.S. Army's #1 priority. We will do what it takes to build an agile, adaptive Army of the future".{{Cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/article/154803/39th_chief_of_staff_initial_message_to_the_army/|title=39th Chief of Staff Initial Message to the Army|first=Mark|last=Milley|website=Army.mil|date=September 9, 2015|access-date=September 25, 2020|archive-date=April 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200413104601/https://www.army.mil/article/154803/39th_Chief_of_Staff_Initial_Message_to_the_Army|url-status=live}}

== Modernization and reform ==

File:Donald J. Trump, Mark A. Milley and Mike Pence salute, Jan. 20, 2017.jpg salute during Trump's inauguration parade on January 20, 2017.]]

During his tenure, Milley focused heavily on modernization efforts for the Army, which included a new command designed to consolidate the methods that deliver Army capabilities, similar to the approach used by U.S. Special Operations Command. At the 2017 Association of the United States Army annual meeting, Milley described the areas targeted for modernization, including tanks, aircraft and weapons. Milley said: "Faster results will be obtained...as we shift to a SOCOM-like model of buy, try, decide and acquire rather than the current industrial-age linear model that takes years to establish requirements, decades to test, and it may take a long, long time to go from idea to delivery". He warned: "If we adapt to the changing character of war, and we embrace the institutional changes that we need to implement, then we will continue to be the most lethal fighting force in the world for the next seven decades and beyond. If we do not, we will lose the next war".{{Cite news|url=https://www.military.com/daily-news/2017/10/10/army-chief-modernization-reform-means-new-tanks-aircraft-weapons.html|title=Army Chief: Modernization Reform Means New Tanks, Aircraft, Weapons|first=Matthew|last=Cox|website=Military.com|date=October 10, 2017|access-date=September 25, 2020|archive-date=March 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210314185557/http://www.military.com/daily-news/2017/10/10/army-chief-modernization-reform-means-new-tanks-aircraft-weapons.html|url-status=live}}

In February 2017, the Army announced the establishment of Security Force Assistance Brigades. Also known as SFABs, these permanent units were established in Fort Benning with a core mission to conduct security cooperation activities and serve as a quick response to combatant commander requirements.{{Cite web |url=https://www.army.mil/article/182646/army_creates_security_force_assistance_brigade_and_military_advisor_training_academy_at_fort_benning |date=February 16, 2017 |title=Army creates Security Force Assistance Brigade and Military Advisor Training Academy at Fort Benning |website=Army.mil |access-date=September 25, 2020 |archive-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124064910/https://www.army.mil/article/182646/army_creates_security_force_assistance_brigade_and_military_advisor_training_academy_at_fort_benning |url-status=live }}

File:Joseph Dunford and Mark Milley 181208-D-SW162-0396 (31298827337).jpg, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, speaks with Milley before the 2018 Army–Navy Game.]]

While their training would be similar to that of Special Forces, soldiers in the SFABs would not be considered Special Forces, Milley said. "They will be trained in many ways similar to Special Forces, but they are not Special Forces". These SFABs will be structured using the non-commissioned and commissioned officers of infantry brigade combat teams to train foreign military units in conventional light infantry tactics, Milley said.{{Cite news|url=https://www.military.com/daily-news/2017/10/09/army-chief-train-advise-troops-not-special-forces.html|title=Army Chief: Train and Advise Troops 'Are Not Special Forces'|first=Matthew|last=Cox|website=Military.com|date=October 9, 2017|access-date=September 25, 2020|archive-date=December 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201224054928/https://www.military.com/daily-news/2017/10/09/army-chief-train-advise-troops-not-special-forces.html|url-status=live}}

In 2018, Secretary of the Army Mark Esper and Milley established Army Futures Command in Austin, Texas, to take advantage of nearby academic and industrial expertise.{{Cite web |date=2018-06-14 |title=Authority Transfers Begin to Army Futures Command |url=https://www.ausa.org/news/authority-transfers-begin-army-futures-command |access-date=2023-11-26 |website=AUSA |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Cox |first=Matthew |date=2018-07-13 |title=It's Official: Austin Is Home of New Army Futures Command |url=https://www.military.com/dodbuzz/2018/07/13/its-official-austin-home-new-army-futures-command.html |access-date=2023-11-26 |website=Military.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Barone |first=Chelsea |date=2018-08-07 |title=The Army Futures Command Finds a Home in Austin, TX |url=https://modernbattlespace.com/2018/08/07/army-futures-command-finds-home-in-austin/ |access-date=2023-11-26 |website=Modern Battlespace |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Jr |first=Sydney J. Freedberg |date=2018-05-07 |title=Permanent Evolution: SecArmy Esper On Futures Command (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://breakingdefense.sites.breakingmedia.com/2018/05/permanent-evolution-secarmy-esper-on-futures-command-exclusive/ |access-date=2023-11-26 |website=Breaking Defense |language=en-US}} Coequal in status to the Army's three senior most commands: Army Forces Command, Army Material Command, and Army Training and Doctrine Command, it represented one of the largest reform initiatives undertaken in more than forty years. Beyond developing future warfighting concepts, eight cross-functional teams conducted research to further the Army's modernization priorities: long-range precision fires, next-generation combat vehicles, air and missile defenses, soldier lethality, synthetic training environments, future vehicle lift platforms, and assured positioning, navigation, and timing.

In 2018, Esper and Milley also led the roll out of a new Army Combat Fitness Test.{{Cite web |title=Army secretary: New fitness test measures combat readiness |url=https://www.jbsa.mil/News/News/Article/1620479/army-secretary-new-fitness-test-measures-combat-readiness/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbsa.mil%2FNews%2FNews%2FArticle%2F1620479%2Farmy-secretary-new-fitness-test-measures-combat-readiness%2F |access-date=2023-11-26 |website=Joint Base San Antonio |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=New Fitness Test Measures Combat Readiness, Army Secretary Says |url=https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/1623884/new-fitness-test-measures-combat-readiness-army-secretary-says/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.defense.gov%2FNews%2FNews-Stories%2FArticle%2FArticle%2F1623884%2Fnew-fitness-test-measures-combat-readiness-army-secretary-says%2F |access-date=2023-11-26 |website=U.S. Department of Defense |language=en-US}} The new fitness test was designed to improve overall combat readiness and mimic physical tasks and stresses associated with combat and was set to replace the 40-year-old Army fitness test by October 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wnct.com/news/new-army-combat-fitness-test-holds-pilot-program-in-winterville/|title=New Army Combat Fitness Test holds pilot program in Winterville|date=March 7, 2019|access-date=October 29, 2020|archive-date=February 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200206063332/https://www.wnct.com/news/new-army-combat-fitness-test-holds-pilot-program-in-winterville/|url-status=live}} Milley said: "We want to make sure that our soldiers are... in top physical shape to withstand the rigors of ground combat. Combat is not for the faint of heart, it's not for the weak-kneed, it's not for those who are not psychologically resilient and tough and hardened to the brutality, to the viciousness of it".{{Cite web|url = https://www.military.com/daily-news/2018/10/08/army-chief-pass-new-combat-fitness-test-or-hit-road.html|title = Army Chief: Pass New Combat Fitness Test or 'Hit the Road'|website=Military.com|date = October 8, 2018|access-date = October 29, 2020|archive-date = March 14, 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210314184305/https://www.military.com/daily-news/2018/10/08/army-chief-pass-new-combat-fitness-test-or-hit-road.html|url-status = live}}

== Army Green Service Uniform ==

File:The Proposed Pink & Green Uniform Makes It's National Debut at the 2017 Army-Navy Game 171212-Z-IF359-006.jpg Daniel A. Dailey and soldiers modeling the proposed "Pinks and Greens" uniform.]]

In early 2017, Milley and then-Sergeant Major of the Army Daniel A. Dailey began considering the possibility of bringing back an iconic two-tone uniform known as the "Pinks and Greens" to honor the "greatest generation" of soldiers who fought in World War II.{{Cite web|url = https://www.military.com/daily-news/2017/11/03/army-close-finalizing-pinks-greens-uniform-all-soldiers.html|title = Army Close to Finalizing Pinks and Greens Uniform for All Soldiers|date = November 3, 2017|access-date = November 5, 2020|archive-date = January 23, 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210123062428/https://www.military.com/daily-news/2017/11/03/army-close-finalizing-pinks-greens-uniform-all-soldiers.html|url-status = live}}

The Army believed the reintroduction of the uniform would give soldiers a uniform for professional environments that honored the Army heritage, reconnect today's soldiers with their service history, strengthen pride, bolster recruiting and enhance readiness.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.army.mil/standto/archive/2018/01/10/|title=Pink and Green Uniform|magazine=Stand-to|date=January 10, 2018|first=P. E. O.|last=Soldier}}

According to an Army Times poll conducted in the fall of 2018, of the 32,000 respondents, 72 percent indicated they were ready to embrace a new uniform, while 28 percent said they were happy with the current blue Army Service Uniform. Soldiers did express concerns about the need for an additional uniform as well as the costs associated with acquiring the new uniform.{{Cite web|url = https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2018/10/05/poll-army-times-readers-are-all-the-way-in-for-pinks-greens-but-the-comments-section-tells-another-story/|title = Poll: Army Times readers are all the way in for 'pinks & greens,' but the comments section tells another story|date = October 7, 2018|access-date = November 5, 2020|archive-date = September 18, 2023|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230918004605/https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2018/10/05/poll-army-times-readers-are-all-the-way-in-for-pinks-greens-but-the-comments-section-tells-another-story/|url-status = live}} The Army tried to address this concern in its official roll out announcement on November 11, 2018, indicating the uniform would be cost-neutral for enlisted soldiers, who would be able to purchase the new "everyday business-wear uniform" with their existing annual clothing allowance. The Army also indicated the new uniform would come "at no additional cost" to U.S. taxpayers and would be made in the U.S.{{Cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/article/213650|title=U.S. Army to roll out new Army Greens uniform|date=November 11, 2018 |access-date=November 5, 2020|archive-date=March 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210319211816/https://www.army.mil/article/213650|url-status=live}} Secretary of the Army Esper, who also championed the iconic "pinks and greens" uniform and worked with Milley and Dailey on the initiative, approved its return in November 2018.{{Cite web |last=Cox |first=Matthew |date=2018-11-19 |title=Soldiers to Get New Greens Uniform in 2020 After Army Finalizes Design |url=https://www.military.com/kitup/2018/11/19/soldiers-get-new-greens-uniform-2020-after-army-finalizes-design.html |access-date=2023-11-26 |website=Military.com |language=en}}

== Iraq War study ==

File:Mark Milley and Danilo Errico 171017-A-EN604-050 (37195859524).jpg Lieutenant General Danilo Errico at the Pentagon on October 17, 2017]]

In 2018, Milley was involved in deciding whether the Army would publish a controversial study on the 2003–2006 Iraq War. Milley reportedly decided he wanted to read the two-volume, 1,300-page, 500,000-word document before making a decision. Milley also directed that an external panel of scholars review the work. After the panel returned glowing reviews on the study, including one that described it as "the gold standard in official history", Milley continued to delay publication so he could review it further.{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-army-ordered-an-unvarnished-iraq-war-historythen-let-it-languish-1540220153|title=The Army Stymied Its Own Study of the Iraq War|first=Michael R.|last=Gordon|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=October 22, 2018|access-date=July 10, 2019|archive-date=December 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208145507/https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-army-ordered-an-unvarnished-iraq-war-historythen-let-it-languish-1540220153|url-status=live}} When confronted by a journalist from The Wall Street Journal in October 2018, Milley reversed these decisions, ordering the study published officially and with a foreword from himself. He said the team who wrote the study "did a damn good job", the study itself was "a solid work", and that he aimed to publish the study by the holidays (2018).

Within days of this revelation, two members of Congress who sit on the House Armed Services Committee (Reps. Jackie Speier, D-California, and Ruben Gallego, D-Arizona) sent a letter to Army leaders expressing their anger over the delay. In a press release accompanying the letter to Milley and Esper, Speier said, "This is simply the Army being unwilling to publicly air its mistakes. Our military, Congress, and the American people deserve nothing less than total transparency on the lessons the Army has identified so that we may use those lessons to avoid costly, and too often deadly, mistakes of the past".{{Cite web|url=https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2018/10/25/armys-detailed-iraq-war-study-remains-unpublished-years-after-completion/|title=Army's detailed Iraq war study remains unpublished years after completion|first=Todd|last=South|date=October 25, 2018|website=Army Times|access-date=July 10, 2019|archive-date=September 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918004604/https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2018/10/25/armys-detailed-iraq-war-study-remains-unpublished-years-after-completion/|url-status=live}} The two-volume study was published January 17, 2019.{{Cite report|url=https://publications.armywarcollege.edu/pubs/3667.pdf|title=The U.S. Army in the Iraq War, 2003–2006: Invasion, Insurgency, Civil War|volume=1|publisher=U.S. Army War College Press|date=January 17, 2019|access-date=June 5, 2020|archive-date=November 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191123095420/https://publications.armywarcollege.edu/pubs/3667.pdf|url-status=dead}}{{Cite report|url=https://publications.armywarcollege.edu/pubs/3668.pdf|title=The U.S. Army in the Iraq War, 2007–2011: Surge and Withdrawal|volume=2|publisher=U.S. Army War College Press|date=January 17, 2019|access-date=June 5, 2020|archive-date=October 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191026152707/https://publications.armywarcollege.edu/pubs/3668.pdf|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|first=Todd|last=South|title=Army's long-awaited Iraq war study finds Iran was the only winner in a conflict that holds many lessons for future wars|work=Army Times|url=https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2019/01/18/armys-long-awaited-iraq-war-study-finds-iran-was-the-only-winner-in-a-conflict-that-holds-many-lessons-for-future-wars/|date=January 18, 2019|access-date=June 5, 2020|archive-date=September 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918004605/https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2019/01/18/armys-long-awaited-iraq-war-study-finds-iran-was-the-only-winner-in-a-conflict-that-holds-many-lessons-for-future-wars/|url-status=live}}

== Report on climate change ==

In May 2019, Milley commissioned a U.S. Army War College report on the impact of climate change on society as a whole and on the U.S. military. The report was written by U.S. government officials from agencies including the U.S. Army, Defense Intelligence Agency, and NASA and released in August 2019. It outlined the possibility of blackouts, disease, thirst, starvation and war due to collapses of the country's aging power grid, its food supply systems, and the U.S. military. The report also mentions the likelihood of increasing water scarcity and failure of global food systems in developing countries which would result in an increase of civil and military conflicts.{{cite web|last=Ahmed|first=Nameez|title=U.S. Military Could Collapse Within 20 Years Due to Climate Change, Report Commissioned By Pentagon Says|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/us-military-could-collapse-within-20-years-due-to-climate-change-report-commissioned-by-pentagon-says/|date=October 24, 2019|access-date=November 1, 2021|work=VICE|archive-date=September 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928225814/https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/mbmkz8/us-military-could-collapse-within-20-years-due-to-climate-change-report-commissioned-by-pentagon-says|url-status=live}}{{cite report|url=https://climateandsecurity.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/implications-of-climate-change-for-us-army_army-war-college_2019.pdf|title=Implications of Climate Change for the U.S. Army|date=August 2019|publisher=U.S. Army War College|access-date=July 2, 2020|archive-date=March 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305083954/https://climateandsecurity.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/implications-of-climate-change-for-us-army_army-war-college_2019.pdf|url-status=live}}

= Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff <span class="anchor" id="Appointment as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff by Trump"></span> =

File:Esper Tours WWII Bois Jacques Foxhole Site in Belgium.jpg, and members of the 101st Airborne Division tour the Bois Jacques during the 75th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge, December 2019]]

File:Mark Milley and Valery Gerasimov 191218-D-HD608-004 (49239131457).jpg in Bern, Switzerland, on December 18, 2019|alt=General Milley and General Gerasimov shaking hands]]

File:Mark Milley MetLife Stadium 2021.jpg fan before the 2021 Army–Navy football game]]

Milley was the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from September 30, 2019, to September 30, 2023.{{cite news|last=Cooper|first=Helene|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/27/us/politics/general-mark-milley-trump-biden.html|title=Wars, Pandemic, Insurrection, U.F.O.s: Gen. Mark Milley's Term Had It All|date=October 27, 2023|access-date=April 16, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231028181724/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/27/us/politics/general-mark-milley-trump-biden.html|archive-date=October 28, 2023|work=The New York Times}}

== First Trump administration ==

On December 8, 2018, Trump announced that he would nominate Milley to serve as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, although Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis and then-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Dunford favored Air Force Chief of Staff General David L. Goldfein for the appointment.{{Cite web|last=Hirsh|first=Michael|date=December 20, 2018|title=Mattis Quits Over Differences With Trump|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/12/20/mattis-quits-over-differences-with-trump-defense-secretary/|access-date=July 25, 2020|website=foreignpolicy.com|archive-date=January 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123121421/https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/12/20/mattis-quits-over-differences-with-trump-defense-secretary/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Mehta|first=Aaron|date=July 25, 2019|title=Senate confirms Milley as chairman of the Joint Chiefs|url=https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/2019/07/25/milley-confirmation/|access-date=July 25, 2020|website=Defense News|archive-date=September 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918004605/https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/2019/07/25/milley-confirmation/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/12/08/trump-says-gen-mark-milley-chair-joint-chiefs-staff/2249369002/|title=Donald Trump makes it official: Gen. Mark Milley to chair Joint Chiefs of Staff|website=USA Today|access-date=December 8, 2018|archive-date=July 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711095359/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/12/08/trump-says-gen-mark-milley-chair-joint-chiefs-staff/2249369002/|url-status=live}}{{cite news | last1=Bowman | first1=Tom | title=Meet Mark Milley, Trump's Pick For Joint Chiefs Chairman | url=https://www.npr.org/2018/12/08/674935309/meet-mark-milley-trumps-pick-for-joint-chiefs-chairman | date=December 8, 2019 | work=NPR | access-date=October 1, 2019 | archive-date=October 4, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004024153/https://www.npr.org/2018/12/08/674935309/meet-mark-milley-trumps-pick-for-joint-chiefs-chairman | url-status=live }} Initially Milley had been fielded as a candidate to succeed Curtis Scaparrotti as commander of the United States European Command and Supreme Allied Commander Europe but after the interview with Trump was nominated for the chairmanship instead.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/05/us/politics/protests-milley-trump.html|first1=Helene|last1=Cooper|first2=Eric|last2=Schmitt|first3=Thomas|last3=Gibbons-Neff|title=Milley, America's Top General, Walks Into a Political Battle|date=June 5, 2020|access-date=June 30, 2021|work=The New York Times|archive-date=June 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630063416/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/05/us/politics/protests-milley-trump.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Cooper|first1=Helene|last2=Schmitt|first2=Eric|last3=Gibbons-Neff|first3=Thomas|date=June 5, 2020|title=Milley, America's Top General, Walks Into a Political Battle|page=A-13|work=The New York Times|location=New York, NY|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/05/us/politics/protests-milley-trump.html|access-date=June 26, 2021|archive-date=June 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630063416/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/05/us/politics/protests-milley-trump.html|url-status=live}} He was confirmed by the Senate 89–1 on 25 July 2019,{{Cite web|date=July 25, 2019|title=On the Nomination (Confirmation: General Mark A. Milley to be Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff)|url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=116&session=1&vote=00230|publisher=United States Senate|via=Senate.gov|access-date=July 25, 2019|archive-date=August 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190804173431/https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=116&session=1&vote=00230|url-status=live}} and sworn in on September 30.{{cite web|last1=Macias|first1=Amanda|date=September 30, 2019|title=Trump oversees swearing-in of Gen. Mark Milley as the new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/09/30/trump-watches-as-gen-mark-milley-becomes-chairman-of-joint-chiefs.html|access-date=October 1, 2019|work=CNBC|archive-date=October 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014054958/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/09/30/trump-watches-as-gen-mark-milley-becomes-chairman-of-joint-chiefs.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Babb|first1=Carla|date=September 30, 2019|title=New Top US Military Officer Takes Helm Amid Iran Tensions, Afghan Violence|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/usa_new-top-us-military-officer-takes-helm-amid-iran-tensions-afghan-violence/6176728.html|access-date=October 1, 2019|work=Voice of America|archive-date=October 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001173620/https://www.voanews.com/usa/new-top-us-military-officer-takes-helm-amid-iran-tensions-afghan-violence|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Baldor|first1=Lolita C.|date=September 30, 2019|title=Gen. Milley faces challenges as next Joint Chiefs chairman|url=https://www.apnews.com/58a1cfe95c50432e9e0964f7f075211d|access-date=October 1, 2019|work=Associated Press|archive-date=October 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001191133/https://apnews.com/58a1cfe95c50432e9e0964f7f075211d|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Golby|first1=Jim|date=October 1, 2019|title=President Trump tapped Gen. Mark Milley as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Here are 3 things to know.|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/10/01/president-trump-tapped-gen-mark-milley-chairman-joint-chiefs-staff-here-are-things-know/|access-date=October 1, 2019|newspaper=The Washington Post|archive-date=October 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191002140718/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/10/01/president-trump-tapped-gen-mark-milley-chairman-joint-chiefs-staff-here-are-things-know/|url-status=live}} After attending 75th anniversary commemorations of the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium on December 16, 2019,{{cite news |last1=Casert |first1=Raf |last2=Carlson, Mark |url=https://apnews.com/article/belgium-luxembourg-us-news-ap-top-news-mark-esper-754480954e9587acd887dde548edf2b8 |title=WWII allies, Germany mark 75 yrs since Battle of the Bulge |work=Associated Press |date=December 16, 2019 |access-date=November 1, 2021 |archive-date=November 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211103230526/https://apnews.com/article/belgium-luxembourg-us-news-ap-top-news-mark-esper-754480954e9587acd887dde548edf2b8 |url-status=live }} Milley met with the Russian military chief of staff Valery Gerasimov in Bern, Switzerland on December 18. That continued a series of meetings between the American and Russian military chiefs reestablished by Milley's predecessor Joseph Dunford in 2017 to ensure open communication and reduce the risks in conflict areas.{{cite web|last=Garamone|first=Jim|url=https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/2043133/top-us-russian-military-leaders-meet-to-improve-mutual-communication/|title=Top U.S., Russian Military Leaders Meet to Improve Mutual Communication|publisher=U.S. Department of Defense|date=December 18, 2019|access-date=November 1, 2021|archive-date=November 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211103230527/https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/2043133/top-us-russian-military-leaders-meet-to-improve-mutual-communication/|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last=Detsch |first=Jack |title=Intel: Top US and Russian generals link up to talk Syria |url=https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/12/russia-us-generals-talk-syria-military-gerasimov-milley.html |date=December 18, 2019 |work=Al-Monitor |access-date=December 27, 2019 |archive-date=March 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210314184316/https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/12/russia-us-generals-talk-syria-military-gerasimov-milley.html |url-status=live }}

During Trump's re-election campaign, a photograph featuring Vice President Mike Pence, Trump, Esper, and Milley, was used in one of Trump's political ads. Defense officials said that the image was used without Milley's knowledge and consent and that the ad was later removed "ahead of time".{{Cite news|last=Seligman|first=Lara|title=Top general did not give his consent to be used in Trump political ad|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/12/top-general-trump-ad-consent-429112|access-date=2020-10-29|website=Politico|archive-date=January 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126052043/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/12/top-general-trump-ad-consent-429112|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last=Eyan |first=Missy |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/as-election-nears-pentagon-leaders-goal-of-staying-out-of-elections-is-tested/2020/10/14/cbf20c6a-0e2a-11eb-bfcf-b1893e2c51b4_story.html |title=As election nears, Pentagon leaders' goal of staying out of elections is tested |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=October 14, 2020 |access-date=November 1, 2021 |archive-date=January 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126221616/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/as-election-nears-pentagon-leaders-goal-of-staying-out-of-elections-is-tested/2020/10/14/cbf20c6a-0e2a-11eb-bfcf-b1893e2c51b4_story.html |url-status=live }}

=== St. John's Church incident ===

File:President Trump Visits St. John's Episcopal Church (49964153176).jpg

On June 1, 2020, during the protests in Washington, D.C., which followed the murder of George Floyd, Milley, in combat uniform, walked with the president from the White House across Lafayette Square to St. John's Episcopal Church about half an hour after federal officers and police had used tear gas and other riot control tactics to disperse protestors, drawing sharp criticism from former military officers and others.{{Cite news |title=The crackdown before Trump's photo op: How law enforcement cleared protesters outside the White House |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/2020/06/08/timeline-trump-church-photo-op/ |access-date=2020-06-11 |newspaper=The Washington Post |archive-date=February 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215211941/https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/2020/06/08/timeline-trump-church-photo-op/?arc404=true |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |date=2020 |title=Pentagon Distances Leaders From Trump Photo Op |work=U.S. News & World Report |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2020-06-02/pentagon-distances-esper-milley-from-trumps-church-photo-op |access-date=June 2, 2020 |archive-date=February 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215212307/https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2020-06-02/pentagon-distances-esper-milley-from-trumps-church-photo-op |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last1=Schmitt |first1=Eric |last2=Cooper |first2=Helene |last3=Gibbons-Neff |first3=Thomas |last4=Haberman |first4=Maggie |date=June 3, 2020 |title=Esper Breaks With Trump on Using Troops Against Protesters |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/03/us/politics/esper-milley-trump-protest.html |access-date=June 4, 2020 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=June 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626201528/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/03/us/politics/esper-milley-trump-protest.html |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=Trump's church photo-op took Esper, Milley by surprise |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/trump-s-church-photo-op-took-defense-secretary-esper-gen-n1222391 |access-date=June 2, 2020 |website=NBC News |date=June 2, 2020 |archive-date=June 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603151927/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/trump-s-church-photo-op-took-defense-secretary-esper-gen-n1222391 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Spinelli |first=Dan |title=Top general defends his actions after appearing in Trump photo op |url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2020/06/top-general-defends-his-actions-after-appearing-in-trump-photo-op/ |access-date=June 2, 2020 |website=Mother Jones |archive-date=January 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117071018/https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2020/06/top-general-defends-his-actions-after-appearing-in-trump-photo-op/ |url-status=live}}

According to Peril, Milley attended the walk in combat fatigues as he had been summoned away at short notice from a planned visit to an FBI operations center, and immediately departed once he and Esper realized the political implications of the walk, saying that he felt "sick" and was "fucking done with this shit" to Esper.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/18/mark-milley-us-general-who-stood-up-to-trump-founders-over-kabul-strike|title=Mark Milley, US general who stood up to Trump, founders over Kabul strike|last=Borgen|first=Julian|date=September 18, 2021|website=The Guardian|access-date=October 30, 2021|archive-date=October 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024132136/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/18/mark-milley-us-general-who-stood-up-to-trump-founders-over-kabul-strike|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/milley-fucking-done-shit-trump-bible-photo-lafayette-george-floyd-2021-9|title=Gen. Mark Milley fumed that he was 'fucking done with this shit' after Trump used him to stage a photo op during George Floyd protests: book|date=September 16, 2021|last=Sheth|first=Sonam|website=Business Insider|access-date=October 30, 2021|archive-date=September 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922192453/https://www.businessinsider.com/milley-fucking-done-shit-trump-bible-photo-lafayette-george-floyd-2021-9|url-status=live}} As a result, Milley was not present for Trump's photo op at St. John's Church.{{Cite book|last1=Woodward|first1=Bob|last2=Costa|first2=Robert|title=Peril|pages=170–171|publisher=Simon & Schuster|date=September 21, 2021|isbn=978-1-982182-91-5}} The House Armed Services Committee later requested that Esper and Milley testify before the committee about the military's role in the George Floyd protests, which they did on July 9.{{Cite news |last=Mehta |first=Aaron |url=https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2020/06/05/esper-milley-wont-testify-before-the-house/ |title=House Armed Services Committee, Pentagon clash over Esper and Milley testimony |work=Defense News |date=June 7, 2020 |access-date=October 31, 2021 |archive-date=June 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200608155739/https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2020/06/05/esper-milley-wont-testify-before-the-house/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Bowman |first=Tom |url=https://www.npr.org/2020/07/09/889502158/esper-and-milley-testify-on-militarys-role-in-handling-recent-protests |title=Esper And Milley Testify On Military's Role in Handling Recent Protests |work=NPR |date=July 9, 2020 |access-date=October 31, 2021 |archive-date=November 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119080655/https://www.npr.org/2020/07/09/889502158/esper-and-milley-testify-on-militarys-role-in-handling-recent-protests |url-status=live }}

=== Unsent resignation letter ===

Milley reportedly considered resigning over the incident in front of the St. John's Church, going so far as to draft a highly critical resignation letter to President Trump, but then deciding against handing the letter over to him. The resignation letter draft was later published in 2022.[https://katiecouric.com/news/mark-milley-trump-resignation-letter/ Mark Milley's Scathing, Never-Sent Resignation Letter to Trump] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230729222235/https://katiecouric.com/news/mark-milley-trump-resignation-letter/?utm_source=zergnet&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=zergnet |date=July 29, 2023 }} Katie Couric Media. August 8, 2022. By Sehr Taneja. Retrieved 23-07-29. At the last minute before submitting the resignation letter to the president, Milley opted against resignation and instead apologized for his presence at the St. John's Church incident in a video recorded as his commencement address at the National Defense University on 11 June. At the commencement speech he explained that he should not have been at the event because his presence created a perception of military involvement in domestic politics.{{Cite web|title=Joint Chiefs Chairman Milley discussed resigning over role in Trump's church photo op|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/joint-chiefs-chairman-milley-discussed-resigning-over-role-trump-s-n1230116|access-date=2020-06-17|website=NBC News|first1=Courtney|last1=Kube|first2=Carol E.|last2=Lee|date=June 11, 2020|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308172649/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/joint-chiefs-chairman-milley-discussed-resigning-over-role-trump-s-n1230116//|url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/11/us/george-floyd-protests.html#link-24a6c80d |title='I should not have been there,' General Milley says about the Trump photo op. |work=The New York Times |date=June 12, 2020 |access-date=October 31, 2021 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308230902/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/11/us/george-floyd-protests.html#link-24a6c80d |url-status=live }}

=== After the 2020 election ===

After losing his bid for reelection in November 2020, Trump and his allies made attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election, presaging the attack on the Capitol on 6 January 2021. According to I Alone Can Fix It, a July 2021 book by The Washington Post reporters Philip Rucker and Carol Leonnig, Milley became concerned Trump was preparing to stage a coup, and held informal discussions with his deputies about possible ways to thwart it, telling associates: "They may try, but they're not going to fucking succeed. You can't do this without the military. You can't do this without the CIA and the FBI. We're the guys with the guns".{{cite web |last1=Gangel |first1=Jamie |last2=Herb |first2=Jeremy |last3=Cohen |first3=Marshall |last4=Stuart |first4=Elizabeth |last5=Starr |first5=Barbara |title='They're not going to f**king succeed': Top generals feared Trump would attempt a coup after election, according to new book |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/14/politics/donald-trump-election-coup-new-book-excerpt/index.html |website=CNN |access-date=2025-02-05 |date=2021-07-14}}

Rucker and Leonnig's book also quoted Milley as saying "this is a Reichstag moment", comparing Trump's attempts to overturn the election to the event used to cement Nazi Germany and referring to Trump's false statements about electoral fraud as "the gospel of the Führer". Milley reportedly told police and military officials preparing to secure Joe Biden's presidential inauguration: "Everyone in this room, whether you're a cop, whether you're a soldier, we're going to stop these guys to make sure we have a peaceful transfer of power. We're going to put a ring of steel around this city and the Nazis aren't getting in".{{Cite web|first1=Jamie|last1=Gangel|first2=Jeremy|last2=Herb|first3=Marshall|last3=Cohen|first4=Elizabeth|last4=Stuart|title='They're not going to f**king succeed': Top generals feared Trump would attempt a coup after election, according to new book|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/14/politics/donald-trump-election-coup-new-book-excerpt/index.html |publisher=CNN|date=July 15, 2021|access-date=September 19, 2021|archive-date=September 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210919040105/https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/14/politics/donald-trump-election-coup-new-book-excerpt/index.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=July 14, 2021|title=Joint Chiefs chairperson feared potential 'Reichstag moment' aimed at keeping Trump in power|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/joint-chiefs-chairperson-feared-potential-reichstag-moment-aimed-at-keeping-trump-in-power/|website=The Seattle Times|access-date=July 15, 2021|archive-date=July 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716021532/https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/joint-chiefs-chairperson-feared-potential-reichstag-moment-aimed-at-keeping-trump-in-power/|url-status=live}} Trump later said that he had not threatened or spoken about a coup and falsely claimed that Obama had fired Milley.{{cite news |last=Forgey |first=Quint |date=July 15, 2021 |title=Trump denies coup attempt in latest attack on Milley |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/07/15/trump-deny-coup-mark-milley-499763 |work=Politico |access-date=July 15, 2021 |archive-date=July 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722012106/https://www.politico.com/news/2021/07/15/trump-deny-coup-mark-milley-499763 |url-status=live }}

On January 12, 2021, Milley and the Joint Chiefs of Staff issued a statement condemning the storming of the U.S. Capitol by supporters of Trump and reminding all service members of their obligation to support and defend the Constitution and reject extremism.{{Cite web|date=January 12, 2021 |title=Memorandum for the Joint Force |url=https://www.jcs.mil/Portals/36/Documents/JCS%20Message%20to%20the%20Joint%20Force%20JAN%2012%2021.pdf |url-status=live|access-date=September 17, 2021|website=The United States Joint Chiefs of Staff|archive-date=March 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210318001110/https://www.jcs.mil/Portals/36/Documents/JCS%20Message%20to%20the%20Joint%20Force%20JAN%2012%2021.pdf}}{{Cite web|title=Military Joint Chiefs statement condemning 'sedition and insurrection' at US Capitol|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/12/politics/joint-chiefs-memo-capitol-insurrection/index.html|website=CNN|date=January 12, 2021|access-date=September 17, 2021|archive-date=January 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113212540/https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/12/politics/joint-chiefs-memo-capitol-insurrection/index.html|url-status=live}} They said: "As we have done throughout our history, the U.S. military will obey lawful orders from civilian leadership, support civilian authorities to protect lives and property, ensure public safety in accordance with the law, and remain fully committed to protecting and defending the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic".{{Cite web|date=January 12, 2021|title=Top military leaders condemn 'sedition and insurrection' at Capitol, acknowledge Biden win|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/12/top-military-leaders-condemn-sedition-and-insurrection-at-capitol-acknowledge-biden-win.html |publisher=CNBC|first=Amanda|last=Macias|access-date=September 17, 2021|archive-date=January 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113045439/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/12/top-military-leaders-condemn-sedition-and-insurrection-at-capitol-acknowledge-biden-win.html|url-status=live}} In an interview on April 2, Milley said that the military reaction and response were "sprint speed" and "super fast".{{Cite web|last=Coleman|first=Justine|date=2021-03-03|title=Joint Chiefs chairman: Military response on Jan. 6 was 'super fast'|url=https://thehill.com/policy/defense/541343-joint-chiefs-chairman-military-response-on-jan-6-was-super-fast|access-date=2021-04-02|website=The Hill|archive-date=April 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210402214628/https://thehill.com/policy/defense/541343-joint-chiefs-chairman-military-response-on-jan-6-was-super-fast|url-status=live}} Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi said from her personal experience that was not the case, and called for a commission to find the truth.{{Cite web|last=Williams|first=Jordan|date=2021-04-28|title=Pelosi pushes back on Joint Chiefs chairman's account of Guard deployment on Jan. 6|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/550748-pelosi-pushes-back-on-joint-chiefs-chairmans-account-of-guard-deployment-on|access-date=2021-04-29|website=The Hill|archive-date=April 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429160352/https://thehill.com/homenews/house/550748-pelosi-pushes-back-on-joint-chiefs-chairmans-account-of-guard-deployment-on|url-status=live}}

=== Calls with Chinese general ===

File:Army chief of staff meets with Chinese counterpart in Beijing 01.jpg counterpart, Commander of the PLA Ground Force General Li Zuocheng at the Bayi building in Beijing, August 16, 2016.]]

According to a September 2021 Axios report, in mid-2020 Pentagon officials were concerned about the Chinese having received bad intelligence from dubious sources that had them worried about a possible surprise U.S. strike against China.{{Cite web|last=Swan|first=Jonathan|title=Inside the crisis surrounding Gen. Mark Milley|url=https://www.axios.com/mark-milley-woodward-trump-crisis-bb8a80b1-3e3a-492b-934a-99825cc6ef7f.html|access-date=September 15, 2021|website=Axios|date=September 15, 2021|archive-date=September 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917082908/https://www.axios.com/mark-milley-woodward-trump-crisis-bb8a80b1-3e3a-492b-934a-99825cc6ef7f.html|url-status=live}} In a report released in November 2021, the Pentagon confirmed these Chinese worries and that Esper had directed Milley and the deputy assistant defense secretary for China Chad Sbragia in mid-October to reassure their Chinese counterparts that the U.S. "had no intention of instigating a military crisis against China".{{Cite web|last=Kube|first=Courtney|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/china-has-upped-nuke-production-worried-u-s-would-start-n1283096|title=Report: China may have 700 nukes by 2027, had feared war with U.S. in 2020|work=NBC News|date=November 3, 2021|access-date=November 4, 2021|archive-date=November 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211103230531/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/china-has-upped-nuke-production-worried-u-s-would-start-n1283096|url-status=live}} Milley called his Chinese counterpart on October 30.{{cite news |last1=Martinez |first1=Luis |last2=Seyler |first2=Matt |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/milley-defends-calls-china-amid-concerns-trump/story?id=80279037 |title=Milley defends calls to China amid concerns about Trump |work=ABC News |date=September 28, 2021 |access-date=September 30, 2021 |archive-date=October 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211014045132/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/milley-defends-calls-china-amid-concerns-trump/story?id=80279037 |url-status=live }}

In Woodward and Costa's book Peril, the authors wrote that on October 30, 2020, four days before the U.S. presidential election day, Milley called his counterpart in China, General Li Zuocheng, quoting Milley as saying: "I want to assure you that the American government is stable and everything is going to be okay... We are not going to attack or conduct any kinetic operations against you ... If we're going to attack, I'm going to call you ahead of time. It's not going to be a surprise".{{cite news |last1=Stanley-Becker |first1=Isaac |title=Top general was so fearful Trump might spark war that he made secret calls to his Chinese counterpart, new book says |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/09/14/peril-woodward-costa-trump-milley-china/ |access-date=September 16, 2021 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=September 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210915233648/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/09/14/peril-woodward-costa-trump-milley-china/ |archive-date=September 15, 2021 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/why-milley-secretly-secured-nuclear-codes-called-china-in-final-days-of-trump-presidency |title=Why Milley secretly secured nuclear codes, called China in final days of Trump presidency |website=PBS |date=September 14, 2021 |access-date=September 15, 2021 |archive-date=September 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920012905/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/why-milley-secretly-secured-nuclear-codes-called-china-in-final-days-of-trump-presidency |url-status=live }} The authors wrote that Milley again called Li in January 2021, two days after the 2021 United States Capitol attack, quoting Milley as saying: "Things may look unsteady... But that's the nature of democracy... We are 100 percent steady. Everything's fine. But democracy can be sloppy sometimes".{{cite news |last1=Schmidt |first1=Michael |last2=Cullen |first2=Matthew |title=Fears That Trump Might Launch a Strike Prompted General to Reassure China, Book Says |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/14/us/politics/peril-woodward-book-trump.html |access-date=September 16, 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=September 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210915142745/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/14/us/politics/peril-woodward-book-trump.html |archive-date=September 15, 2021 |url-status=live }} Unnamed defense department officials said Sbragia had called his Chinese counterpart two days earlier, with the authorization of then-acting secretary of defense Christopher C. Miller.{{Cite news|last=Lubold|first=Gordon|date=2021-09-17|title=Mark Milley Says Calls to Chinese General Were Within His Duties|work=The Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/mark-milley-says-calls-to-chinese-general-were-within-his-duties-11631878596|access-date=2021-09-18|issn=0099-9660|archive-date=September 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920002232/https://www.wsj.com/articles/mark-milley-says-calls-to-chinese-general-were-within-his-duties-11631878596|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|first=Katie Bo|last=Williams|title=Office of Trump's defense secretary held call with China on January 6, two days before Milley's controversial call|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/17/politics/trump-defense-secretary-call-china-milley/index.html|access-date=2021-09-18|website=CNN|date=September 17, 2021|archive-date=September 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921031944/https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/17/politics/trump-defense-secretary-call-china-milley/index.html|url-status=live}} One briefed on Milley's call said that it was "implausible that (Milley's call) would have been done without" Sbragia's knowledge.

Both calls were by video conference where fifteen people were present, including a State Department representative and notetakers.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/15/politics/milley-woodward-china-trump/index.html|title=Pentagon, White House mobilize defense of Milley amid criticism over China calls|first1=Katie Bo|last1=Williams|first2=Jeremy|last2=Herb|work=CNN|date=September 16, 2021|access-date=September 17, 2021|archive-date=September 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921025711/https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/15/politics/milley-woodward-china-trump/index.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/milley-calls-with-chinese-counterpart-were-not-secret-us-officials|title=Milley calls with Chinese counterpart 'were not secret': US officials|first1=Jennifer|last1=Griffin|last2=Singman|first2=Brooke|date=September 15, 2021|work=Fox News|access-date=September 16, 2021|archive-date=September 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921084230/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/milley-calls-with-chinese-counterpart-were-not-secret-us-officials|url-status=live}} CNN reported that Milley consulted with Esper in conducting the October call.{{Cite web|first=Veronica|last=Stracqualursi|title=Wall Street Journal: Milley defends calls to China during Trump presidency as 'perfectly' within his duties|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/17/politics/mark-milley-defends-china-calls-trump/index.html|access-date=September 18, 2021|website=CNN|date=September 17, 2021|archive-date=September 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921075308/https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/17/politics/mark-milley-defends-china-calls-trump/index.html|url-status=live}} Politico reported that a former senior defense official said Milley asked Miller for permission to make the January call, and that Miller said Milley "almost certainly" informed him about making the call, but he did not recall receiving a detailed readout afterwards.{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/09/15/claims-that-milley-made-secret-calls-to-chinese-leaders-exaggerated-sources-say-511918|title=Claims that Milley made 'secret' calls to Chinese leaders exaggerated, sources say|website=Politico|first1=Lara|last1=Seligman|first2=Daniel|last2=Lippman|date=September 15, 2021|access-date=September 17, 2021|archive-date=September 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920180139/https://www.politico.com/news/2021/09/15/claims-that-milley-made-secret-calls-to-chinese-leaders-exaggerated-sources-say-511918|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=Biden has 'great confidence' in Milley after secret actions in Trump's final months |last1=Karl |first1=Jonathan |last2=Gittleson |first2=Ben |publisher=ABC News |date=September 15, 2021 |access-date=September 15, 2021 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/biden-great-confidence-milley-secret-actions-trumps-final/story?id=80040052 |archive-date=September 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921025523/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/biden-great-confidence-milley-secret-actions-trumps-final/story?id=80040052 |url-status=live }} On September 15, Miller told Fox News that he did not authorize the call and called for Milley to resign or be fired; multiple sources told Fox News that the calls were conducted with full knowledge of Esper and Miller.{{Cite web|last=Singman|first=Brooke|date=September 15, 2021|title=Trump acting Defense Secretary Miller says he 'did not' authorize Milley China calls, says he should resign|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-acting-defense-sec-miller-says-he-did-not-authorize-milley-china-calls-says-he-should-resign|access-date=September 18, 2021|website=Fox News|archive-date=September 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921155902/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-acting-defense-sec-miller-says-he-did-not-authorize-milley-china-calls-says-he-should-resign|url-status=live}}

File:Mark A. Milley with Christopher C. Miller at Arlington National Cemetery.jpg on November 11, 2020]]

Two days later he told CNN that "he likely would not have been informed of such routine engagements that either his office or Milley would have had with China" and that he was criticizing the call in October, not the one in January. At a congressional hearing on September 28, 2021, Milley testified that both calls were coordinated with the staffs of Esper and Miller both before and after they were made.{{cite news |last1=Horton |first1=Alex |last2=Demirjian |first2=Karoun |last3=Wagner |first3=John |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/general-milley-china-calls/2021/09/28/2b319e44-2099-11ec-8200-5e3fd4c49f5e_story.html |title=Milley defends calls made to his Chinese counterpart, saying they were sanctioned and briefed across the administration |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=September 28, 2021 |access-date=September 30, 2021 |archive-date=October 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001132558/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/general-milley-china-calls/2021/09/28/2b319e44-2099-11ec-8200-5e3fd4c49f5e_story.html |url-status=live }} The Wall Street Journal reported Pentagon officials said Miller had been apprised of the call. Milley's spokesman said, "All calls from the Chairman to his counterparts, including those reported, are staffed, coordinated and communicated with the Department of Defense and the interagency".{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/top-us-generals-calls-with-china-did-not-go-around-civilian-leaders-spokesman-2021-09-15/|title=Biden backs top general Milley after reported 'secret' calls with China|date=September 15, 2021|work=Reuters|access-date=September 16, 2021|archive-date=September 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917100523/https://www.reuters.com/world/us/top-us-generals-calls-with-china-did-not-go-around-civilian-leaders-spokesman-2021-09-15/|url-status=live}}

Milley stated that the calls were "routine calls{{nbsp}}... in order to ensure strategic stability" and "perfectly within the duties and responsibilities of the chairman". In hearings before the Senate and House Armed Services committees on September 28 and 29, respectively, Milley said he did not intend to undermine Trump with the calls,{{cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3150486/top-us-military-official-defends-phone-calls-chinese-counterpart-during|title=Top US military official defends phone calls to Chinese counterpart made during final days of Trump presidency|last=Delaney|first=Robert|date=2021-09-28|website=South China Morning Post|access-date=September 30, 2021|archive-date=October 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211013101555/https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3150486/top-us-military-official-defends-phone-calls-chinese-counterpart-during|url-status=live}} adding that he "was communicating to my Chinese counterpart on instructions, by the way, to de-escalate the situation" and that Trump "has no intent to attack and I told [General Li] that repeatedly".{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/gen-milley-defends-call-china-says-he-wasn-t-trying-n1280239|title=Gen. Milley says he wasn't trying to undermine Trump in China call|last=Teaganne|first=Finn|date=September 28, 2021|website=NBC News|access-date=September 30, 2021|archive-date=October 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211013233442/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/gen-milley-defends-call-china-says-he-wasn-t-trying-n1280239|url-status=live}} After the storming of the U.S. Capitol, Milley also spoke to other military leaders around the world, including in the United Kingdom, to reassure them "that the U.S. government was strong and in control".{{cite web |last1=Lemire |first1=Jonathan |last2=Burns |first2=Robert |title=Milley defends calls to Chinese as effort to avoid conflict |url=https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-china-united-states-michael-pence-joint-chiefs-of-staff-caba520490ba574393f1cb6d1e961dba |work=Associated Press News |date=September 15, 2021 |access-date=September 20, 2021 |archive-date=September 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921032046/https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-china-united-states-michael-pence-joint-chiefs-of-staff-caba520490ba574393f1cb6d1e961dba |url-status=live }}

=== Meeting on nuclear launch procedure ===

Woodward and Costa also wrote that after the attack on the Capitol, Milley became concerned Trump might "go rogue", telling staff "You never know what a president's trigger point is". According to the book, he took extraordinary action to protect national security by insisting he be personally consulted about any military action orders by Trump, including the use of nuclear weapons, and instructed the directors of the CIA and NSA to be particularly attentive to developments. This was perceived by some former officials and outside analysts as "inserting himself inappropriately into the chain of command". On 8 January, Milley assured House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) in a call that "the nuclear triggers are secure and we're not going to do—we're not going to allow anything crazy, illegal, immoral, or unethical to happen".{{Cite web|first1=Mark|last1=Moore|first2=Juliegrace|last2=Brufke|date=September 16, 2021|title=Freedom Caucus demands Lloyd Austin probe Mark Milley's calls to China|url=https://nypost.com/2021/09/16/freedom-caucus-demands-austin-probe-milley-calls-to-chinafreedom-caucus-demands-lloyd-austin-probe-mark/|access-date=September 18, 2021|website=New York Post|archive-date=September 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918055113/https://nypost.com/2021/09/16/freedom-caucus-demands-austin-probe-milley-calls-to-chinafreedom-caucus-demands-lloyd-austin-probe-mark/|url-status=live}}

=== Additional actions ===

File:SECDEF, CJCS, CENTCOM Senate Armed Services Testimony on Afghanistan 210928-D-TT977-0249.jpg

Milley's reported comments and actions drew criticism from multiple Republicans.{{Cite web|last=Hertling|first=Mark|title=Retired General: General Milley did his job|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/16/opinions/milley-woodward-costa-book-hertling/index.html|access-date=2021-09-17|website=CNN|date=September 17, 2021|archive-date=September 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918142404/https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/16/opinions/milley-woodward-costa-book-hertling/index.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Metzger|first=Bryan|title=Republicans call Gen. Mark Milley 'traitor,' and say he should be fired or court-martialed for a report that he secretly intervened to avoid war with China|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/republicans-milley-fired-resign-court-martialed-treason-china-trump-call-2021-9|date=September 15, 2021|access-date=2021-09-17|website=Business Insider|archive-date=September 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920220631/https://www.businessinsider.com/republicans-milley-fired-resign-court-martialed-treason-china-trump-call-2021-9|url-status=live}} Trump described Woodward and Costa's reporting as "fake news" and "fabricated", stating that he "never even thought of attacking China".{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/572292-trump-calls-milley-story-fake-news|title=Trump calls Milley story 'fake news'|first=Mychael|last=Schnell|date=September 14, 2021|website=The Hill|access-date=September 15, 2021|archive-date=September 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918014014/https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/572292-trump-calls-milley-story-fake-news|url-status=live}} Trump also said that if the reporting was true, then he believed Milley should be "tried for treason" for talking to Li "behind the President's back and telling China that he would be giving them notification" of an American attack.{{Cite news|first1=Asawin|last1=Suebsaeng|first2=Adam|last2=Rawnsley|date=September 14, 2021|title=Trump Calls Allies to Demand Gen. Mark Milley Be 'Arrested' for 'Treason'|work=The Daily Beast|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-calls-allies-to-demand-gen-mark-milley-be-arrested-for-treason|access-date=September 15, 2021|archive-date=September 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917081152/https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-calls-allies-to-demand-gen-mark-milley-be-arrested-for-treason|url-status=live}}

Senate Intelligence Committee ranking member Marco Rubio called on Biden to fire Milley, stating that Milley had undermined "the sitting commander in chief" and "contemplated a treasonous leak of classified information to the Chinese Communist Party in advance of a potential armed conflict with the People's Republic of China".{{Cite web|last=Beals|first=Monique|date=September 14, 2021|title=Rubio demands Biden fire Milley|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/572267-rubio-demands-biden-fire-gen-milley|access-date=2021-09-15|website=The Hill|archive-date=September 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921113041/https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/572267-rubio-demands-biden-fire-gen-milley|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|title=New disclosures show how Gen. Mark A. Milley tried to check Trump. They could also further politicize the military.|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/milley-biden-trump-military-politics/2021/09/16/84e4e6aa-1700-11ec-ae9a-9c36751cf799_story.html|access-date=2021-09-18|issn=0190-8286|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814220516/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/milley-biden-trump-military-politics/2021/09/16/84e4e6aa-1700-11ec-ae9a-9c36751cf799_story.html|url-status=live}} Many Republicans accused Milley of treason and called for his resignation, firing, or court-martial.{{Refn|Senators Cynthia Lummis,{{cite tweet |last=Lummis |first=Cynthia |author-link=Cynthia Lummis |user=SenLummis |number=1438138386070622209 |date=September 15, 2021 |title=It's time for Gen. Milley to go. This accusation is a huge violation of his oath of office. https://t.co/RUMZt09VuX |access-date=September 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916124427/https://twitter.com/SenLummis/status/1438138386070622209 |archive-date=September 16, 2021 |url-status=live}} Roger Marshall, Rand Paul,{{cite tweet |last=Paul |first=Rand |author-link=Rand Paul |user=RandPaul |number=1437936193333866501 |date=September 14, 2021 |title=I don't care what you think of President Trump, the Chairman of the JCOS working to subvert the military chain of command and collude with China is exactly what we do not accept from military leaders in our country. He should be court martialed if true. https://t.co/cqWo2rXLEC |access-date=September 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915121348/https://twitter.com/RandPaul/status/1437936193333866501 |archive-date=September 15, 2021 |url-status=live}} and Representatives Andy Biggs,{{cite tweet |last=Biggs |first=Andy |author-link=Andy Biggs |user=RepAndyBiggsAZ |number=1438150847175839748 |date=September 15, 2021 |title=If the allegations are true, Gen Milley should go down in history as a traitor to the American people. |access-date=September 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916124413/https://twitter.com/RepAndyBiggsAZ/status/1438150847175839748 |archive-date=September 16, 2021 |url-status=live}} Dan Bishop,{{cite tweet |last=Bishop |first=Dan |author-link=Dan Bishop |user=RepDanBishop |number=1437893207031955458 |date=September 14, 2021 |title=If true, Milley subverted US law, undermined the Commander-in-Chief and aided a foreign adversary. He should be fired immediately, as he would fire one of his troops for far less. https://t.co/Ge907YAq8u |access-date=September 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916124542/https://twitter.com/RepDanBishop/status/1437893207031955458 |archive-date=September 16, 2021 |url-status=live}} Byron Donalds{{cite tweet |last=Donalds |first=Byron |author-link=Byron Donalds |user=ByronDonalds |number=1437901585896681486 |date=September 14, 2021 |title=This bombshell allegation is next to treasonist and exposes a disturbing trend to undermine the commander in chief by members of the top brass of America's Armed Services. Mark Milley must resign immediately if these allegations prove true. https://t.co/Vu6FnMe0QZ https://t.co/QaxKsy5oQc |access-date=September 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916124501/https://twitter.com/ByronDonalds/status/1437901585896681486 |archive-date=September 16, 2021 |url-status=live}} Matt Gaetz,{{cite tweet |last=Gaetz |first=Matt |author-link=Matt Gaetz |user=RepMattGaetz |number=1438212023981051904 |date=September 15, 2021 |title="On the House side, Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida called for Milley's ouster, suggesting on @Newsmax that Milley had 'broken some very good laws.'" https://t.co/edkpyeyIci |access-date=September 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917070907/https://twitter.com/repmattgaetz/status/1438212023981051904 |archive-date=September 17, 2021 |url-status=live}} Marjorie Taylor Greene,{{cite tweet |last=Greene |first=Marjorie |author-link=Marjorie Greene |user=mtgreenee |number=1438123171211878411 |date=September 15, 2021 |title=Court-martial Mark Milley. |access-date=September 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916043534/https://twitter.com/mtgreenee/status/1438123171211878411 |archive-date=September 16, 2021 |url-status=live}} Jody Hice,{{cite tweet |last=Hice |first=Jody |author-link=Jody Hice |user=CongressmanHice |number=1438127934137569283 |date=September 15, 2021 |title=If the #GeneralMilley reports are true, he subverted the president and conspired with a foreign power in a coup d'état. This shouldn't be a partisan issue! General Milley must be investigated! |access-date=September 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916124603/https://twitter.com/CongressmanHice/status/1438127934137569283 |archive-date=September 16, 2021 |url-status=live}} Doug Lamborn,{{cite tweet |last=Lamborn |first=Doug |author-link=Doug Lamborn |user=RepDLamborn |number=1437927776003166208 |date=September 14, 2021 |title=I am astounded by the extraordinary lack of judgment by Gen. Milley & his willingness to compromise our national security & risk American lives. If Milley really did coordinate with his counterparts in the #CCP, behind the back of the President, he should be relieved of duty. |access-date=September 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915113126/https://twitter.com/RepDLamborn/status/1437927776003166208 |archive-date=September 15, 2021 |url-status=live}} and Chris Stewart.{{cite tweet |last=Stewart |first=Chris |user=RepChrisStewart |number=1437917381536407556 |date=September 14, 2021 |title=If the reports about General Milley are true, he needs to be relieved of his duties. There's no justification for secret communication with our greatest adversary. There's no justification for treason. @POTUS: If this is verified, you need to immediately dismiss General Milley. |access-date=September 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915104620/https://twitter.com/RepChrisStewart/status/1437917381536407556 |archive-date=September 15, 2021 |url-status=live}}|name=|group=}} Alexander Vindman said that Milley needed to resign if it was true that he broke the chain of command.{{cite news |last=Sonam |first=Sheth |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/alexander-vindman-calls-mark-milley-resign-china-calls-woodward-book-2021-9 |title=Trump impeachment witness Alexander Vindman says Gen. Mark Milley 'must resign' following report that he called his Chinese counterpart to avoid war with China |work=Business Insider |date=September 15, 2021 |access-date=October 1, 2021 |archive-date=October 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006020457/https://www.businessinsider.com/alexander-vindman-calls-mark-milley-resign-china-calls-woodward-book-2021-9 |url-status=live }}{{Citation|title=Trump impeachment witness says Milley should resign if new book is true|url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/media/2021/09/15/alexander-vindman-woodward-trump-book-cpt-vpx-new.cnn|website=CNN Video|date=September 15, 2021|access-date=2021-09-15|archive-date=September 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921001035/https://www.cnn.com/videos/media/2021/09/15/alexander-vindman-woodward-trump-book-cpt-vpx-new.cnn|url-status=live}} Twenty-seven House Republicans, all members of the Freedom Caucus, wrote to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin demanding an Army Regulation 15-6 investigation into Milley's actions and for Milley's security clearance to be suspended.{{cite web |url=https://securebooks.in/2021/09/16/freedom-caucus-demands-that-mark-milleys-calls-to-china-be-investigated/ |title=Freedom Caucus demands that Mark Milley's calls to China be investigated |website=Securebooks.in |date=September 16, 2021 |access-date=October 2, 2021 |archive-date=October 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211003123607/https://securebooks.in/2021/09/16/freedom-caucus-demands-that-mark-milleys-calls-to-china-be-investigated/ |url-status=dead }}{{Cite tweet |user=RepScottPerry |number=1438534782296760326 |url=https://twitter.com/RepScottPerry/status/1438534782296760326 |date=September 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917141514/https://twitter.com/RepScottPerry/status/1438534782296760326 |archive-date=September 17, 2021 |access-date=October 2, 2021 |title=For the security of our Nation, @secdef must formally investigate Gen. Milley. He now has a letter demanding a formal Article 15-6 Investigation. No matter how many stars are on your shoulders, you're never above your oath to support and defend the Constitution.}}

Historian and Brookings Institution senior fellow Max Boot, a critic of Trump, wrote that "Milley had no choice but to do what he did".{{cite news |last=Boot |first=Max |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/09/14/milley-acted-prevent-trump-creating-disaster-dont-expect-future-generals-save-us/ |title=Opinion: Milley acted to prevent Trump from creating a disaster. But don't expect future generals to save us. |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=September 14, 2021 |access-date=October 2, 2021 |archive-date=September 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917051927/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/09/14/milley-acted-prevent-trump-creating-disaster-dont-expect-future-generals-save-us/ |url-status=live }} He also wrote that "Trump, Rubio and all the rest of the rabid partisans who accused a decorated combat veteran of treason based on a hasty misreading of a book excerpt" needed to retract their statements and apologize.{{cite news |last=Boot |first=Max |authorlink=Max Boot |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/09/29/milley-deserves-an-apology-all-republicans-who-accused-him-treason/ |title=Opinion: Milley deserves an apology from all the Republicans who accused him of 'treason' |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=September 14, 2021 |access-date=October 2, 2021 |archive-date=September 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930124230/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/09/29/milley-deserves-an-apology-all-republicans-who-accused-him-treason/ |url-status=live }} White House press secretary Jen Psaki said that Biden had worked closely with Milley and considered him to be a patriot.{{Cite web |title=Trump, Republicans call Gen. Mark Milley 'treasonous' for calls with China |last1=Brown |first1=Matthew |last2=Vanden Brook |first2=Tom |work=USA Today |date=September 15, 2021 |access-date=September 15, 2021 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2021/09/15/trump-rubio-accuse-general-milley-treason-over-woodward-expose/8346958002/ |archive-date=September 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917102833/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2021/09/15/trump-rubio-accuse-general-milley-treason-over-woodward-expose/8346958002/ |url-status=live }} Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby stated that Milley had the trust and confidence of Austin.

Senate Judiciary Committee chair Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) said that he had "no concerns that Milley might have exceeded his authority" and that Democratic lawmakers "were circumspect in our language but many of us made it clear that we were counting on him to avoid the disaster which we knew could happen at any moment". Biden later said he had "great confidence" in Milley.{{Cite web|first1=Betsy |last1=Klein |first2=Oren |last2=Liebermann |first3=Donald |last3=Judd |title=Biden says he has 'great confidence' in Gen. Mark Milley after new reports|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/15/politics/white-house-defends-milley/index.html|access-date=September 15, 2021|website=CNN|date=September 15, 2021|archive-date=September 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920212830/https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/15/politics/white-house-defends-milley/index.html|url-status=live}} Senator Angus King said that Milley had "rendered the country a significant service", and U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services chair Jack Reed told reporters that "de-escalating international tensions was part of Milley's job".{{cite web |last1=Stewart |first1=Phil |last2=Zengerle |first2=Patricia |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/top-us-general-milley-staunchly-defends-calls-with-china-2021-09-28/ |title=Under fierce Republican attack, U.S. General Milley defends calls with China |work=Reuters |date=September 29, 2021 |access-date=October 2, 2021 |archive-date=October 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010003722/https://www.reuters.com/world/top-us-general-milley-staunchly-defends-calls-with-china-2021-09-28/ |url-status=live }} Former United Nations ambassador and Trump national security advisor John Bolton defended Milley as a "staunch supporter of the Constitution and the rule of law".{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/bolton-milley-china-call-b1921476.html|title=John Bolton defends Milley's 'unquestioned' patriotism as Trump world rages|first=John|last=Bowden|date=September 16, 2021|website=The Independent|access-date=September 17, 2021|archive-date=September 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918130330/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/bolton-milley-china-call-b1921476.html|url-status=live}}

== Biden administration ==

File:210210-D-BN624-0638 (50934000473).jpg, Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, February 10, 2021]]

File:Pentagon September 11th Memorial Service 210911-D-WD757-1435.jpg.]]

Upon the inauguration of Joe Biden as president in January 2021, Milley was invited to remain in his position of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and accepted the offer.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}} He ceremonially relinquished office as chairman to General Charles Q. Brown Jr. on September 29, 2023, and his term officially ended on September 30.{{cite web|url=https://www.dvidshub.net/webcast/32774|title=Webcast: Armed Forces Farewell Tribute in Honor of General Mark A. Milley and an Armed Forces Hail in Honor of General Charles Q. Brown Jr.|access-date=September 29, 2023|website=DVIDS}}{{cite web|last=Cooper|first=Helene|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/27/us/politics/general-mark-milley-trump-biden.html|title=Wars, Pandemic, Insurrection, U.F.O.s: Gen. Mark Milley's Term Had It All|date=September 27, 2023|access-date=September 30, 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20230927151323/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/27/us/politics/general-mark-milley-trump-biden.html|archive-date=September 27, 2023|website=The New York Times}}

In June 2021, a report from an Associated Press investigation found that at least 1,900 U.S. military firearms were recorded as lost or stolen in the last 10 years, most of them by the U.S. Army.{{Cite news |last1=Hall |first1=Kristin M. |last2=Laporta |first2=James |last3=Pritchard |first3=Justin |title=Top general 'shocked' by AP report on AWOL guns, mulls fix |url=https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-e2ba30a8314d0642cbe8387fb9f34cae |date=June 18, 2021 |access-date=November 1, 2021 |work=Associated Press |archive-date=June 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210617222634/https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-e2ba30a8314d0642cbe8387fb9f34cae |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|last=Cohn|first=Alicia|date=2021-06-17|title=Milley downplays report of 1,900 lost or stolen military firearms|url=https://thehill.com/policy/defense/559083-milley-downplays-report-of-1900-lost-or-stolen-military-firearms|access-date=2021-06-18|website=The Hill|archive-date=June 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210618123034/https://thehill.com/policy/defense/559083-milley-downplays-report-of-1900-lost-or-stolen-military-firearms|url-status=live}} Some of them were later used in violent crimes; in one case, stolen automatic rifles were sold to a California street gang. Reports say that when Milley learned of the scandal, he was shocked, and stated he would consider a more systematic fix on how the military keeps track of its firearms. However, some claim that Milley actually downplayed the report of 1,900 lost or stolen military firearms.{{Cite web|last=Cohn|first=Alicia|date=2021-06-17|title=Milley downplays report of 1,900 lost or stolen military firearms|url=https://thehill.com/policy/defense/559083-milley-downplays-report-of-1900-lost-or-stolen-military-firearms|access-date=2021-06-30|website=The Hill|archive-date=June 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210618123034/https://thehill.com/policy/defense/559083-milley-downplays-report-of-1900-lost-or-stolen-military-firearms|url-status=live}}

In November 2022, Milley urged Russia and Ukraine to find a "political solution" to the Russo-Ukrainian War, saying that the war in Ukraine is unwinnable by purely military means.{{cite news |title=Ukraine Military Victory Unlikely Soon, Top US General Says |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/ukraine-military-victory-unlikely-soon-top-us-general-says/6837655.html |work=VOA News |date=November 16, 2022 |access-date=January 11, 2023 |archive-date=January 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103203501/https://www.voanews.com/a/ukraine-military-victory-unlikely-soon-top-us-general-says/6837655.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Russia's Losses Give Ukraine an Opening for Negotiations, Top US General Says |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-11-16/milley-says-russia-s-reverses-give-ukraine-an-opening-for-negotiations |work=Bloomberg |date=November 16, 2022 |access-date=January 11, 2023 |archive-date=April 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426202240/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-11-16/milley-says-russia-s-reverses-give-ukraine-an-opening-for-negotiations |url-status=live }} In February 2023, Milley said that Russia had lost "strategically, operationally and tactically" and that it was "paying an enormous price on the battlefield" in Ukraine.{{cite news |title=Top US general says Russia has already 'lost' the Ukraine war and has paid an 'enormous price on the battlefield' |url=https://www.businessinsider.in/international/news/top-us-general-says-russia-has-already-lost-the-ukraine-war-and-has-paid-an-enormous-price-on-the-battlefield/articleshow/97926139.cms |work=Business Insider |date=February 14, 2023 |access-date=March 6, 2023 |archive-date=March 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230306075634/https://www.businessinsider.in/international/news/top-us-general-says-russia-has-already-lost-the-ukraine-war-and-has-paid-an-enormous-price-on-the-battlefield/articleshow/97926139.cms |url-status=live }}

=== Defense of non-partisan military ===

On June 30, 2021, Trump suggested that Milley should resign, implying that he was unwilling "to defend [the US military] from the Leftist Radicals who hate [the United States] and [its flag]". This came after Milley's defense of studying a broad range of ideas including "critical race theory" and news reports that Milley and Trump engaged in a shouting match over military involvement in the 2020–2021 US race protests. Trump previously denied the incident and accused Milley of falsifying it.{{cite news |last=Seligman |first=Lara |date=June 30, 2021 |title=Trump calls on Milley to resign after report of a shouting match between the two |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/06/30/trump-milley-shouting-match-resign-497203 |work=Politico |access-date=June 30, 2021 |archive-date=July 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210701165320/https://www.politico.com/news/2021/06/30/trump-milley-shouting-match-resign-497203 |url-status=live }}

On June 23, 2021, Milley attracted notice for telling Florida Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz that he found it "offensive" that the U.S. military was being characterized as "woke" for including "critical race theory" in its West Point curriculum and that he wanted "to understand white rage – and I'm white. What is it that caused thousands of people to assault this building and try to overturn the Constitution of the United States of America?"{{Cite web|last=O'Brien|first=Connor|title=Top general fires back at 'offensive' criticism of military being 'woke'|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/06/23/top-general-fires-back-criticism-military-woke-495703|date=June 23, 2021|access-date=October 4, 2021|work=Politico|archive-date=June 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629065255/https://www.politico.com/news/2021/06/23/top-general-fires-back-criticism-military-woke-495703|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|title=Top General Defends Studying Critical Race Theory In The Military|url=https://www.npr.org/2021/06/23/1009592838/top-general-defends-studying-critical-race-theory-in-the-military|access-date=June 23, 2021|work=NPR|first=Danielle|last=Kurtzleben|date=June 23, 2021|archive-date=July 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703151832/https://www.npr.org/2021/06/23/1009592838/top-general-defends-studying-critical-race-theory-in-the-military|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|first1=Dartunorro|last1=Clark|first2=Mosheh|last2=Gains|title=Military leaders push back on questions by Rep. Gaetz about critical race theory|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/military-leaders-push-back-questions-rep-gaetz-about-critical-race-n1272190|date=June 23, 2021|access-date=October 4, 2021|work=NBC News|archive-date=July 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703013230/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/military-leaders-push-back-questions-rep-gaetz-about-critical-race-n1272190|url-status=live}}

In their September 2021 book, Peril, Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Robert Costa wrote that after the election Milley had become aware of a Trump military order to withdraw all troops from Afghanistan by January 15, 2021, which had been written by two Trump loyalists without consultation with national security officials. The authors reported that after Trump refused to concede his election loss, CIA director Gina Haspel told Milley, "We are on the way to a right-wing coup" and was worried Trump might attack Iran.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/14/politics/woodward-book-trump-nuclear/index.html|title=Woodward/Costa book: Worried Trump could 'go rogue,' Milley took top-secret action to protect nuclear weapons|first1=Jamie|last1=Gangel|first2=Jeremy|last2=Herb|first3=Elizabeth |last3=Stuart|website=CNN|date=September 14, 2021|access-date=September 14, 2021|archive-date=September 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921172812/https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/14/politics/woodward-book-trump-nuclear/index.html|url-status=live}} In remarks before the Senate Armed Services Committee on September 28, Milley denied that he agreed in a call with Nancy Pelosi that Trump was "crazy" as stated in the book,{{cite web|last=Haltiwanger|first=John|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/milley-told-pelosi-not-qualified-to-determine-trumps-mental-health-2021-9|title=Milley told Pelosi he's not qualified to determine Trump's 'mental health' when she expressed concern about the former president using nuclear weapons|date=September 28, 2021|website=Business Insider|access-date=September 30, 2021|archive-date=October 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211014003104/https://www.businessinsider.com/milley-told-pelosi-not-qualified-to-determine-trumps-mental-health-2021-9|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/under-fierce-republican-attack-us-general-milley-defends-calls-china-2208296|title=Under fierce Republican attack, US General Milley defends calls with China|date=September 29, 2021|website=CNA|access-date=September 30, 2021|archive-date=September 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930163504/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/under-fierce-republican-attack-us-general-milley-defends-calls-china-2208296|url-status=dead}} stating that he was "not qualified to determine the mental health of the president of the United States".

=== Threats from Trump ===

In September 2023, Trump stated in a post on Truth Social that Milley's call to Chinese authorities following the storming of the United States Capitol attack was "an act so egregious that, in times gone by, the punishment would have been DEATH".{{cite web |last1=Macias |first1=Amanda |title=Trump and GOP Rep. Gosar suggest Joint Chiefs boss Mark Milley deserves death |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/09/25/trump-paul-gosar-suggest-gen-mark-milley-deserves-death.html |website=CNBC |date=September 25, 2023 |access-date=September 28, 2023}} In response to the threat, Milley stated, "I'll take appropriate measures to ensure my safety and the safety of my family".{{cite web |last1=Chasan |first1=Aliza |title=Gen. Milley says he has "appropriate" safety measures after Trump social media threat |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/general-milley-responds-to-trump-social-media-post-60-minutes/ |website=CBS News |date=September 27, 2023 |access-date=September 28, 2023}}{{cite web |title=Milley on Trump suggesting 'execution': Threat to me is threat to entire military |url=https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/milley-on-trump-suggesting-execution-threat-to-me-is-threat-to-entire-military-193934405547 |website=MSNBC}} In 2024, Milley said he feared being court-martialed if Trump were to be reelected. He also called Trump the "most dangerous person ever" and said that Trump was a "fascist to the core".{{cite news|last=Pengelly|first=Martin|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/11/bob-woodward-book-mark-milley-trump|title=Mark Milley fears being court-martialed if Trump wins, Woodward book says|date=October 11, 2024 |access-date=October 12, 2024|work=The Guardian}} On January 19, 2025, Biden issued preemptive pardons to Milley and other officials, stating that they "should not be mistaken as an acknowledgment that any individual engaged in any wrongdoing, nor should acceptance be misconstrued as an admission of guilt for any offense".{{cite news |last1=Long |first1=Colleen |last2=Miller |first2=Zeke |url=https://apnews.com/article/biden-trump-fauci-milley-pardons-january-6-3cba287f89051513fb48d7ae700ae747 |title=Biden pardons Fauci, Milley and the Jan. 6 panel. It’s a guard against potential 'revenge' by Trump |work=AP News |date=January 20, 2025 |access-date=April 26, 2025}}

=== Withdrawal from Afghanistan ===

File:SecDef & CJCS welcome Gen. Miller back from Afghanistan.jpg welcome General "Scott" Miller at Joint Base Andrews during the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal, July 14, 2021.]]{{#related:Fall of Kabul (2021)}}

In December 2020, Milley met with the Taliban in Doha in an effort to arrange peace talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government. Milley believed that U.S. troops should remain in Afghanistan to prevent another terrorist attack like the September 11 attacks.{{Cite web|date=2021-04-20|title=After years fighting them, Milley talks peace with Taliban|url=https://apnews.com/article/mark-milley-taliban-peace-talks-5aa10724bbc4df823fd19ad2301837df|access-date=2021-08-21|website=AP News|first=Robert|last=Burns|archive-date=August 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210821202013/https://apnews.com/article/mark-milley-taliban-peace-talks-5aa10724bbc4df823fd19ad2301837df|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Milley Meets With Taliban In Fragile Peace Negotiations|url=https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2020/12/milley-meets-taliban-fragile-peace-negotiations/170839/|access-date=2021-08-21|website=Defense One|date=December 17, 2020|archive-date=August 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210821201946/https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2020/12/milley-meets-taliban-fragile-peace-negotiations/170839/|url-status=live}}

As the withdrawal of U.S. troops was in its final days, the Taliban launched an offensive against the Afghan government, quickly advancing in front of a collapsing Afghan Armed Forces.{{cite news|last1=Robertson|first1=Nic|date=June 24, 2021|title=Afghanistan is disintegrating fast as Biden's troop withdrawal continues|publisher=CNN|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2021/06/24/asia/afghanistan-taliban-offensive-intl-cmd/index.html|access-date=July 26, 2021|archive-date=July 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709190124/https://edition.cnn.com/2021/06/24/asia/afghanistan-taliban-offensive-intl-cmd/index.html|url-status=live}} U.S. intelligence believed that the Afghan government would likely collapse within six months after the withdrawal of NATO troops from the country.{{Cite news|date=June 24, 2021|title=Afghan government could fall within six months of U.S. military withdrawal, new intelligence assessment says|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/afghan-government-could-fall-within-six-months-of-us-military-withdrawal-new-intelligence-assessment-says/2021/06/24/42375b14-d52c-11eb-baed-4abcfa380a17_story.html|issn=0190-8286|access-date=July 26, 2021|archive-date=August 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803154255/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/afghan-government-could-fall-within-six-months-of-us-military-withdrawal-new-intelligence-assessment-says/2021/06/24/42375b14-d52c-11eb-baed-4abcfa380a17_story.html|url-status=live}} On July 21, 2021, Milley reported that half of all districts in Afghanistan were under Taliban control and that momentum was "sort of" on the side of the Taliban.{{cite news|last1=Ali|first1=Idrees|last2=Stewart|first2=Phil|date=July 21, 2021|title=Half of all Afghan district centers under Taliban control – U.S. general|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/half-all-afghan-district-centers-under-taliban-control-us-general-2021-07-21/|access-date=July 26, 2021|archive-date=July 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729163918/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/half-all-afghan-district-centers-under-taliban-control-us-general-2021-07-21/|url-status=live}} Kabul was captured by the Taliban on August 15, 2021, prompting an international airlift of civilians at Kabul International Airport, which remained under temporary U.S. and NATO control.{{cite news|first1=Lara|last1=Jakes|first2=Eric|last2=Schmitt|url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/08/25/world/afghanistan-taliban-kabul-biden-news|title=The latest enemy to U.S. evacuation efforts in Afghanistan: Time|newspaper=The New York Times|date=August 25, 2021|access-date=January 25, 2022|archive-date=August 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831031940/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/08/25/world/afghanistan-taliban-kabul-biden-news|url-status=live}}

On 26 August 2021, after the suicide bombing at Kabul Airport that led to the death of 183 people, including 13 U.S. service members,{{cite news|last=Alfonso|first=Fernando III|title=The latest on the Kabul airport attack|url=https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/afghanistan-kabul-taliban-us-news-08-28-21/index.html|work=CNN|date=August 28, 2021|access-date=September 1, 2021|archive-date=September 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902141527/https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/afghanistan-kabul-taliban-us-news-08-28-21/index.html|url-status=dead}} Republican senators and members of the House called for the resignation of President Biden, Vice President Harris, Secretary of State Blinken, Defense Secretary Austin, and Milley.{{Cite web|first=Melanie|last=Zanona|title=Republicans split on strategy to make Biden pay a political price for Afghanistan|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/27/politics/republicans-mccarthy-biden-afghanistan/index.html|access-date=2021-08-27|website=CNN|date=August 27, 2021|archive-date=August 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830164359/https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/27/politics/republicans-mccarthy-biden-afghanistan/index.html|url-status=live}}

In late September 2021, Milley, at hearings before both the Senate and House Armed Services Committees said that the withdrawal from Afghanistan and evacuation from Kabul was "a logistical success but a strategic failure".{{cite news |last=Borger |first=Julian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/28/afghanistan-withdrawal-gen-mark-milley-senate |title=US Afghanistan withdrawal a 'logistical success but strategic failure', Milley says |work=The Guardian |date=September 28, 2021 |access-date=September 30, 2021 |archive-date=October 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211013112227/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/28/afghanistan-withdrawal-gen-mark-milley-senate |url-status=live }} He rejected demands from Republican committee members to resign.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/09/28/us/senate-hearing |title=As Senators Grill Defense Officials on Afghan 'Strategic Failure,' Milley Defends Calls to China |access-date=September 30, 2021 |date=September 29, 2021 |work=The New York Times |archive-date=October 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006142515/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/09/28/us/senate-hearing |url-status=live }} On an October 25, 2024 podcast with Joe Rogan, when talking about the withdrawal from Afghanistan, Donald Trump claimed that Milley said "It's cheaper to leave it" in regard to the military equipment they had in Afghanistan and what to do with it when the US military left.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBMoPUAeLnY |title=Joe Rogan Experience #2219 - Donald Trump |date=2024-10-25 |last=PowerfulJRE |access-date=2024-10-26 |via=YouTube}}

= Actions of the second Trump administration =

Hours after Trump was inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States on January 20, 2025, Milley's official portrait was removed from a Pentagon corridor where the portraits of all former chairmen are displayed.{{Cite news |last1=Stewart |first1=Phil |last2=Ali |first2=Idrees |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/pentagon-missing-portrait-fears-an-upheaval-2025-01-21/ |title=At Pentagon, a missing portrait and fears of an upheaval |work=Reuters |date=January 22, 2025 |access-date=January 27, 2025}}{{cite news |last1=Cooper |first1=Helen |last2=Schmitt |first2=Eric |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/20/us/politics/general-mark-milley-portrait.html |title=Portrait of General Milley Is Removed From Pentagon |work=The New York Times |date=January 20, 2025 |access-date=January 22, 2025}} The next day workers patched the holes and painted the wall.{{cite news |last=Toropin |first=Konstantin |url=https://www.military.com/daily-news/2025/01/21/mark-milleys-portrait-disappears-pentagon-trumps-inauguration-day.html |title=Mark Milley's Portrait Disappears from Pentagon on Trump's Inauguration Day |work=military.com |date=January 21, 2025 |access-date=January 25, 2025}} A U.S. official told the New York Times that the White House had ordered the removal.

On January 29, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth suspended Milley's security clearance, withdrew the authorization for his security detail, and ordered a review of his actions as Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff with a view to demote him in rank.{{cite news |last=Copp |first=Tara |url=https://apnews.com/article/milley-trump-security-detail-clearance-9bc8ebb7cd7cd2c334d00c97d4c142d0 |title=Defense secretary pulls Trump critic Gen. Milley’s security clearance and protective detail |work=AP News |date=January 29, 2025 |access-date=January 30, 2025}}{{cite news |last=Bowman |first=Tom |url=https://www.npr.org/2025/01/29/nx-s1-5279386/hegseth-milley-security-detail |title=Hegseth strips Milley of his security detail, orders investigation into his conduct |work=NPR |date=January 29, 2025 |access-date=January 30, 2025}}

= Operational deployments =

Milley has deployed for various military operations, including:

Multinational Force and Observers, Sinai, Egypt
Operation Just Cause, Panama
Operation Uphold Democracy, Haiti
Operation Joint Endeavor, Bosnia-Herzegovina
Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq
Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan

= Service summary =

== Dates of rank ==

class="wikitable" \|+ Promotions ! Insignia !! Rank !! Date{{cite journal\|url=https://www.jcs.mil/Portals/36/Documents/History/Dec21/Chairmanship%20of%20the%20JCS%201949-2019.pdf?ver=5Bghr__dy6kkWoDvFv9FQw%3d%3d\|title=The Chairmanship of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, 1949–2019\|last=Lowery\|first=Nathan S.\|journal=The Chairmanship of the Joint Chiefs of Staff\|publisher=Joint Chiefs of Staff\|edition=6th\|date=2020\|issn=2690-165X\|page=223\|access-date=January 3, 2022\|archive-date=January 3, 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220103153409/https://www.jcs.mil/Portals/36/Documents/History/Dec21/Chairmanship%20of%20the%20JCS%201949-2019.pdf?ver=5Bghr__dy6kkWoDvFv9FQw%3D%3D\|url-status=live}}
\|15px	Second lieutenant	June 10, 1980
\|15px	First lieutenant	November 28, 1981
\|35px	Captain	March 1, 1984
\|35px	Major	May 1, 1992
\|35px	Lieutenant colonel	August 1, 1996
\|40px	Colonel	April 1, 2002
\|35px	Brigadier general	June 2, 2008
\|70px	Major general	March 2, 2011
\|105px	Lieutenant general	December 20, 2012
\|140px	General	August 15, 2014

== Summary of assignments ==

class="wikitable" style="clear:right; text-align:center"

!Begin

!End

!Assignment

!Duty station

1980

|1984

|Student, United States Naval War College

|Newport,
Rhode Island

2000

|2002

|Assistant Chief of Staff (G3), later Chief of Staff, 25th Infantry Division (Light)

|Schofield Barracks,
Hawaii

2002

|2002

|Commander, US Provisional Brigade/Task Force Eagle, 25th Infantry Division (Light), [[Multi-National Division (North) (Bosnia)|Multinational Division

(North)]]

|Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina

2002

|2003

|Deputy Chief of Staff for Transformation (G-7), 25th Infantry Division (Light)

|Schofield Barracks,
Hawaii

2003

|2005

|Commander, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light)

|Fort Drum,
New York

2005

|2006

|Chief, Global Force Management Division, later Assistant Deputy Director for Joint Operations (J-3), Joint Staff

|The Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

2006

|2007

|Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense, Office of the Secretary of Defense

|The Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

July 2007

|June 2009

|Deputy Commanding General (Operations), 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)

|Fort Campbell,
Kentucky

June 2009

|November 2011

|Deputy Director for Regional Operations (J-3), Joint Staff

|The Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

November 4, 2011{{cite web|last=Kennedy|first=Michelle|url=https://www.army.mil/article/68839/10th_mountain_division_welcomes_new_commanding_general|title=10th Mountain Division welcomes new commanding general|date=November 10, 2011|access-date=January 5, 2022|website=U.S. Army|archive-date=January 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105121816/https://www.army.mil/article/68839/10th_mountain_division_welcomes_new_commanding_general|url-status=live}}

|December 3, 2012

|Commanding General, 10th Mountain Division (Light)

|Fort Drum,
New York

December 20, 2012

|August 2014

|Commanding General, III Corps and Fort Hood; concurrently Commander, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command and Deputy Commander, United States Forces-Afghanistan

|Fort Hood,
Texas

August 15, 2014

|August 10, 2015{{cite web|last=Harrison|first=Bob|url=https://www.army.mil/article/153582/abrams_takes_charge_of_forscom_as_milley_departs_to_become_39th_army_chief_of_staff|title=Abrams takes charge of FORSCOM as Milley departs to become 39th Army Chief of Staff|date=August 11, 2015|access-date=January 5, 2022|website=U.S. Army|archive-date=January 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105121815/https://www.army.mil/article/153582/abrams_takes_charge_of_forscom_as_milley_departs_to_become_39th_army_chief_of_staff|url-status=live}}

|Commanding General, United States Army Forces Command

|Fort Bragg,
North Carolina

August 14, 2015

|August 9, 2019

|Chief of Staff of the United States Army

|The Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

October 1, 2019

|September 30, 2023

|Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

|The Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

= Awards and decorations =

General Milley has received these awards:{{cite web|url=https://www.ausa.org/people/gen-mark-milley-chief-staff-army|title=Gen. Mark A. Milley, Chief of Staff of the Army|date=September 19, 2016|access-date=January 24, 2020|archive-date=January 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120042925/https://www.ausa.org/people/gen-mark-milley-chief-staff-army|url-status=live}}

class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"

! colspan="2" |Right breast

! colspan="4" |Left breast

colspan="2" |

{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"

| colspan="2" | 85px

colspan="2" | 175px

{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|ribbon=Joint Meritorious Unit Award ribbon.svg|106px}}

|{{ribbon devices|number=3|type=oak|ribbon=Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|106px}}

colspan="2" | 106px

| colspan="4" |

style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"

| colspan="3" |200px

|{{ribbon devices|number=2|type=oak|ribbon=Defense Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.svg|106px}}

{{ribbon devices|number=4|type=oak|ribbon=U.S. Army Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.svg|106px}}

|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Navy Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.svg|106px}}

|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Air Force Distinguished Service ribbon.svg|106px}}

{{ribbon devices|number=2|type=oak|ribbon=Defense Superior Service Medal ribbon.svg|106px}}

|{{ribbon devices|number=2|type=oak|ribbon=Legion of Merit ribbon.svg|106px}}

|{{ribbon devices|number=3|type=oak|ribbon=Bronze Star Medal ribbon.svg|106px}}

{{ribbon devices|number=5|type=oak|ribbon=Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg|106px}}

|{{ribbon devices|number=4|type=oak|ribbon=Army Commendation Medal ribbon.svg|106px}}

|{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|ribbon=Army Achievement Medal ribbon.svg|106px}}

{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|106px}}

|{{ribbon devices|number=2|type=service-star|ribbon=Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg|106px}}

|{{ribbon devices|number=3|type=service-star|ribbon=Afghanistan Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|106px}}

{{ribbon devices|number=2|type=service-star|ribbon=Iraq Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|106px}}

|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg|106px}}

|{{ribbon devices|ribbon=Global War on Terrorism Service Medal ribbon.svg|106px}}

{{ribbon devices|ribbon=Korea Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|106px}}

|{{ribbon devices|ribbon=Humanitarian Service Medal ribbon.svg|106px}}

|{{ribbon devices|ribbon=Army Service Ribbon.svg|106px}}

{{ribbon devices|ribbon=Army Overseas Service Ribbon.svg|106px}}22px

|{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=NATO Medal ribbon (Non-Article 5).svg|106px}}

|{{ribbon devices|ribbon=MFO Ribbon bar.svg|106px}}

| rowspan="3" |

| colspan="2" |506th Infantry Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia

| colspan="4" |Combat Infantryman Badge (2nd Award)

| colspan="2" |French Parachutist Badge

|Defense Distinguished Service Medal
with two oak leaf clusters

|Joint Meritorious Unit
Award
with oak leaf cluster

|Army Meritorious Unit
Commendation
with three oak leaf clusters

|Army Distinguished Service Medal
with four oak leaf clusters

|Navy Distinguished Service Medal

|Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

| colspan="2" rowspan="2" |101st Airborne Division Combat Service Identification Badge

|Defense Superior Service Medal
with two oak leaf clusters

|Legion of Merit
with two oak leaf clusters

|Bronze Star Medal
with three oak leaf clusters

|Meritorious Service Medal
with silver oak leaf cluster

|Army Commendation Medal
with four oak leaf clusters

|Army Achievement Medal
with oak leaf cluster

|National Defense Service Medal
with service star

|Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
with two service stars

|Afghanistan Campaign Medal
with three campaign star

| colspan="2" rowspan="7" |

|Iraq Campaign Medal
with two campaign stars

|Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal

|Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

|Korea Defense Service Medal

|Humanitarian Service Medal

|Army Service Ribbon

|Army Overseas Service Ribbon
with award numeral 6

|NATO Medal for service with ISAF
with service star

|Multinational Force and Observers Medal

|French National Order of Merit, Commander{{cite tweet |number=1061674118314147841 |user=USEmbassyFrance |title=At today's #ArmisticeDay100 ceremony at Suresnes American Cemetery to honor our fallen heroes, @USEmbassyFrance was privileged to welcome six veterans of WWII. @POTUS thanked each of them for their service. #HonorOurVeterans #VeteransDay2018 #tggf #thegreatestfoundation https://t.co/IqQlyDNAej |author=U.S. Embassy France |date=November 11, 2018 |access-date=September 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819084032/https://twitter.com/USEmbassyFrance/status/1061674118314147841 |archive-date=August 19, 2019 |url-status=live}}

|Order of the British Empire, Honorary Knight Commander (Military Division) (KBE)

|Order of Australia, Honorary Officer (Military Division) (AO){{Cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=Honorary Appointment - Military Division - January 2024 |url=https://www.gg.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-01/20240104%20Gazette%20C2024G00009.pdf}}

|Special Forces Tab

| rowspan="3" |

|Ranger Tab

|Master Parachutist Badge

|Special Operations Diver Badge

|Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge

|United States Army Staff Identification Badge

class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"

! colspan="12" |Other awards

|Presidential Commendation (Trump){{cite web | url=https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/president-trump-awards-presidential-commendations-operation-warp-speed-team/ | title=President Trump Awards Presidential Commendations to Operation Warp Speed Team – the White House }}

200px

|Expert Infantryman Badge

60px

|10 Overseas Service Bars

Civilian career

Milley joined the faculties of Georgetown University and Princeton University in February 2024. At Georgetown, he will mentor students as a distinguished fellow in residence with the Security Studies Program in the School of Foreign Service. The Princeton School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA) appointed him the Charles and Marie Robertson visiting professor and lecturer from February 2024 until June 2025.{{cite news |last=Allen |first=Mike |url=https://www.axios.com/2024/02/13/retired-mark-milley-georgetown-princeton-faculties |title=Retired Gen. Mark Milley joins Georgetown, Princeton faculties |work=Axios |date=February 13, 2024 |access-date=April 19, 2024}} He also became a senior adviser to JPMorgan Chase bank and joined the Harry Walker Agency, a speakers' agency.{{cite news |last=Klippenstein |first=Ken |url=https://theintercept.com/2024/03/11/general-mark-milley-paid-speeches/ |title=Gen. Mark Milley's Second Act: Multimillionaire |work=The Intercept |date=March 11, 2024 |access-date=April 19, 2024}}

Personal life

File:A FULL AND UNCONDITIONAL PARDON-GENERAL MARK A. MILLEY=pardon-warrant-3-19-jan-2025.pdf

Milley and Hollyanne Haas (born 19 January 1965) were married in May 1985. They have two children.{{cite web |title=General Mark A. Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff |url=https://www.defense.gov/Our-Story/Biographies/Biography/Article/614392/general-mark-a-milley/ |publisher=United States Department of Defense |access-date=June 27, 2021 |archive-date=March 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210319220159/https://www.defense.gov/Our-Story/Biographies/Biography/Article/614392/general-mark-a-milley/ |url-status=live }} Hollyanne is a nurse who worked in critical care for 18 years and then in cardiac nursing for 15, currently in Northern Virginia.{{cite news |last=Morgan |first=Jared |url=https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2020/11/16/gen-milleys-wife-saved-a-mans-life-at-the-veterans-day-wreath-laying-ceremony-at-arlington/ |title=Gen. Milley's wife saved a man's life at the Veterans Day wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington |work=Military Times |date=November 16, 2020 |access-date=October 30, 2021 |archive-date=October 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031101319/https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2020/11/16/gen-milleys-wife-saved-a-mans-life-at-the-veterans-day-wreath-laying-ceremony-at-arlington/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Kube |first=Courtney |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/military/gen-milley-s-wife-saved-vet-who-collapsed-veterans-day-n1247641 |title=Gen. Milley's wife saved vet who collapsed at Veterans Day ceremony in Arlington |work=NBC News |date=November 16, 2020 |access-date=October 30, 2021 |archive-date=August 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817032653/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/military/gen-milley-s-wife-saved-vet-who-collapsed-veterans-day-n1247641 |url-status=live }} At the 2020 Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, she administered CPR to a veteran who had collapsed, saving his life.

On January 20, 2025, President Joe Biden preemptively pardoned Mark Milley giving him protection from future potential prosecution by the incoming Trump administration.{{Cite web |first1=Kevin |last1=Liptak |first2=Arlette |last2=Saenz |date=January 20, 2025 |title=Biden issues preemptive pardons for Milley, Fauci and Jan. 6 committee members |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/20/politics/joe-biden-preemptive-pardons?cid=ios_app |access-date=January 20, 2025 |website=CNN |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=January 20, 2025 |title=Biden pardons Fauci and Milley in an effort to guard against potential 'revenge' by Trump |url=https://apnews.com/article/biden-trump-fauci-milley-pardons-january-6-3cba287f89051513fb48d7ae700ae747 |access-date=January 20, 2025 |work=Associated Press News |language=en}} At midnight (January 20–21), Trump announced on Truth Social that he was firing Milley from the National Infrastructure Advisory Council, along with three Biden appointees.{{cite web|first=Sean|last=Craig|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-starts-purge-with-midnight-BOOKING.COMtruth-social-firing-of-chef-jos%C3%A9-andr%C3%A9s-and-general-mark-milley/ar-AA1xA58u?ocid=BingNewsSerp|title=Trump Starts Purge with Midnight Truth Social Firing of Chef José Andrés and General Mark Milley|website=The Daily Beast|date=January 21, 2025|accessdate=January 22, 2025|via=MSN}}

Publications

= Articles =

America Isn't Ready for the Wars of the Future, Foreign Affairs, 5 August 2024 (co-authored with Eric Schmidt){{Cite news |last1=Milley |first1=Mark A. |last2=Schmidt |first2=Eric |date=2024-08-05 |title=America Isn't Ready for the Wars of the Future |url=https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/ai-america-ready-wars-future-ukraine-israel-mark-milley-eric-schmidt |access-date=2024-08-05 |work=Foreign Affairs |language=en-US |issn=0015-7120}}