Mark Milley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mark Milley
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Official portrait, 2023
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| Born | 20 June 1958 Winchester, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |
United States Army |
| Years of service | 1980–2023 |
| Rank | General |
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| Spouse(s) |
Hollyanne Haas
(m. 1985) |
| Children | 2 |
Mark Alexander Milley (born 20 June 1958) is a retired United States Army general. He served as the 20th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from October 2019 to September 2023. This role made him the highest-ranking officer in the United States Armed Forces. He was the main military advisor to the President of the United States and other top leaders.
Before this, General Milley was the 39th Chief of Staff of the United States Army from 2015 to 2019. He held many important leadership roles in the Army throughout his career. After leaving office, his official portrait was removed from the Pentagon. His security clearance was also suspended. However, he received a special pardon from President Joe Biden.
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Early Life & Education
Mark Milley was born on June 20, 1958, in Winchester, Massachusetts. He grew up in a Roman Catholic family with Irish roots. His grandfather served in World War I, and his father and mother both served in the United States Navy during World War II. His mother was a nurse in the Navy's WAVES program.
Milley played hockey in grammar school and later attended Belmont Hill School. He then went to Princeton University, where he also played varsity ice hockey.
College & Advanced Degrees
At Princeton, Milley joined the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC). He graduated in 1980 with a degree in politics. He also earned a master's degree in international affairs from Columbia University. Later, he received another master's degree in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College.
Military Career
Milley became an officer in the Army in 1980 after finishing the ROTC program at Princeton. He started as an armor officer. Throughout his career, he served in many different units and held various leadership positions.
He commanded a Special Forces team and led a battalion in South Korea. He also commanded the 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 10th Mountain Division. Later, he became the commanding general of the entire 10th Mountain Division. From 2012 to 2014, he led III Corps and the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command in Afghanistan.
Leading the Army
General Milley became the Chief of Staff of the United States Army on August 14, 2015. In this role, he focused on making sure the Army was always ready for combat. He said that being ready for ground combat was the Army's top priority. He also wanted to build an Army that could adapt to new challenges.
Making the Army Modern
During his time as Chief of Staff, Milley worked hard to update the Army. He helped create a new command called Army Futures Command. This command's job was to find new ways to improve Army equipment and training. He wanted the Army to get new technology faster, like tanks, aircraft, and weapons.
Milley believed the Army needed to change how it developed new tools. He said they should "buy, try, decide and acquire" new things more quickly. He warned that if the Army didn't adapt, it might not be ready for future wars.
New Training Units
In 2017, the Army started new units called SFABs. These units were created to train foreign military forces. Milley explained that soldiers in SFABs would be trained similarly to Special Forces, but they would focus on teaching conventional infantry tactics.
Improving Soldier Fitness
In 2018, Milley helped introduce a new Army Combat Fitness Test. This test was designed to better prepare soldiers for the physical demands of combat. It replaced an older fitness test that had been used for 40 years. Milley emphasized that soldiers needed to be in top physical shape for battle.
Bringing Back a Classic Uniform
Milley also supported bringing back an old Army uniform from World War II, known as the "Pinks and Greens." This uniform was meant to honor soldiers from that era. The Army hoped it would make soldiers proud of their history and help with recruiting. The new uniform was designed to be affordable for soldiers and made in the U.S.
Studying the Iraq War
In 2018, Milley was involved in the decision to publish a large study about the Iraq War. He wanted to make sure the study was thoroughly reviewed before it was released. The study, which was very detailed, was eventually published in January 2019. It aimed to help the Army learn from past events.
Climate Change Report
In 2019, Milley asked for a report on how climate change might affect society and the U.S. military. The report, released in August 2019, discussed potential problems like power outages, disease, and conflicts due to issues like water scarcity and problems with food supplies.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
General Milley became the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on September 30, 2019. He served in this role until September 30, 2023.
Working with Leaders
As Chairman, Milley worked closely with President Donald Trump and later President Joe Biden. He was the top military advisor. He also met with military leaders from other countries, like Russia, to keep communication open and reduce risks.
Public Events & Challenges
In June 2020, during protests in Washington, D.C., Milley walked with President Trump to a church. This event caused some discussion, and Milley later said he regretted his presence because it created a perception of military involvement in politics. He explained that military leaders should remain non-political.
After the 2020 election, Milley was concerned about the peaceful transfer of power. He worked to ensure that the military would support the U.S. Constitution and the democratic process. He also spoke with other military leaders around the world to reassure them that the U.S. government was stable.
Calls with China
In late 2020 and early 2021, Milley made calls to his Chinese military counterpart. These calls were meant to prevent misunderstandings and reduce the risk of conflict. Milley stated that these were "routine calls" to ensure stability and that he was following instructions to de-escalate any tensions.
Nuclear Procedures
After the attack on the U.S. Capitol in January 2021, Milley took steps to ensure that all military actions, especially those involving nuclear weapons, would follow proper procedures. He reassured the Speaker of the House that nuclear controls were secure.
Afghanistan Withdrawal
Milley was involved in the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan. He met with the Taliban to discuss peace talks. He believed that U.S. troops should remain in Afghanistan to prevent future terrorist attacks.
As U.S. troops left, the Taliban quickly took control of Afghanistan. Milley later described the withdrawal as a "logistical success but a strategic failure." He faced questions from lawmakers about the withdrawal.
Defending a Non-Political Military
In 2021, Milley spoke about the importance of the military remaining non-political. He defended the military's education programs, including discussions on topics like "critical race theory," saying it was important for soldiers to understand different perspectives. He emphasized that the military's job is to defend the Constitution, not to get involved in political debates.
Post-Retirement Events
After his retirement in September 2023, General Milley's official portrait was removed from the Pentagon in January 2025. His security clearance was suspended, and his security detail was withdrawn. However, President Joe Biden issued a special pardon to Milley and other officials in January 2025. This pardon was given to protect them from potential future legal actions.
Civilian Career
In February 2024, General Milley began teaching at Georgetown University and Princeton University. At Georgetown, he mentors students in security studies. At Princeton, he is a visiting professor. He also became an advisor to JPMorgan Chase bank and joined a speakers' agency.
Personal Life
Mark Milley married Hollyanne Haas in May 1985. They have two children. Hollyanne is a nurse who has worked in critical care and cardiac nursing. In 2020, she famously saved a veteran's life by performing CPR at a Veterans Day ceremony.
Images for kids
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General Richard A. Cody administers the oath of office upon Milley's promotion to brigadier general in February 2008.
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Secretary of the Army John M. McHugh administers the oath of office to incoming Army chief of staff Milley during the change of responsibility ceremony on August 14, 2015.
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General Milley, President Trump and Vice President Pence salute during Trump's inauguration parade on 20 January 2017.
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General Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, speaks with Milley before the 2018 Army–Navy Game.
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General Milley stands with Sergeant Major of the Army Daniel A. Dailey and soldiers modeling the proposed "Pinks and Greens" uniform.
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General Milley with the Italian chief of Army staff Lieutenant General Danilo Errico at the Pentagon on October 17, 2017
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Milley, Defense Secretary Mark Esper, and members of the 101st Airborne Division tour the Bois Jacques during the 75th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge, December 2019
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Milley with General Valery Gerasimov in Bern, Switzerland, on December 18, 2019
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Milley shaking hands with a Navy fan before the 2021 Army–Navy football game
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Milley walking behind Trump from the White House to St. John's Episcopal Church on 1 June 2020
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Milley with acting Secretary of Defense Miller at Arlington National Cemetery on November 11, 2020
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Milley testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee on the withdrawal from Afghanistan and his calls to China on 28 September 2021.
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Milley, President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, February 10, 2021
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Milley and his wife Hollyanne attend a sunrise flag unfurling ceremony on the west side of the Pentagon on 11 September 2021, the 20th anniversary of 9/11.
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Milley and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin welcome General "Scott" Miller at Joint Base Andrews during the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal, July 14, 2021.
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See also
In Spanish: Mark Milley para niños
