Mingus nominated to be Army's next vice chief of staff

Lt. Gen. James Mingus, the director for the Joint Staff, has been nominated to serve as the Army’s next vice chief of staff, according to a congressional notice.

Mingus’ nomination was referred to the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday, according to the notice. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), who is on the committee, has placed a blanket hold on military nominations due to his opposition to the Pentagon’s leave and travel reimbursement policies for servicemembers seeking abortion services.

If confirmed, Mingus would succeed current Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George in the position. George has been nominated to succeed Gen. James McConville as the service’s next chief of staff, and answered questions from the committee during his nomination hearing Wednesday morning.

Following a two-year stint as commanding general of the 82nd Airborne Division at Ft. Liberty in North Carolina (formerly Ft. Bragg), Mingus began reporting to the Joint Staff at the Pentagon in October 2020, initially serving as director for operations, according to his biography. In June 2022, he became director of the Joint Staff.

Defense News reported earlier on Mingus’ nomination Wednesday.