Marine Corps Gen. Christopher Mahoney was nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Pentagon announced June 20, 2025. (U.S. Marine Corps)

WASHINGTON — The assistant commandant of the Marine Corps was nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Pentagon announced Friday.

If confirmed by the Senate, Marine Corps Gen. Christopher Mahoney will serve as a senior adviser to Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs. The position will make Mahoney the second-highest-ranking military officer in the armed forces. He will replace Navy Adm. Christopher Grady, who has held the position since December 2021.

Mahoney is a Massachusetts native and was sworn in as assistant commandant of the Marine Corps in November 2023.

Mahoney’s career started in 1988 when he completed infantry officer training.

Mahoney then completed flight training and deployed to the Indo-Pacific region as an A6-E Intruder pilot. He later transitioned to piloting F-18 fighter jets and was deployed multiple times to the Indo-Pacific, Italy and Iraq. He has accrued more than 5,000 flight hours in various fighter aircraft.

Mahoney completed a joint force tour as the chief of staff of the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization at the National Training Center based at Fort Irwin, Calif. He later served as the executive assistant to the deputy commandant for programs and resources at Marine Corps headquarters.

Mahoney has also served as deputy commander of Marine Forces Pacific, director of strategy and plans at Marine Corps headquarters, deputy commander of U.S. Forces Japan, commanding general of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and deputy commandant for programs and resources at Marine Corps headquarters.