Challenges Faced by Mark Milley: Obstacles and Turning Points

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 30, 2025

A closer look at the defining struggles that shaped Mark Milley's life and career.

Mark Alexander Milley is a retired United States Army general. He served as the 20th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 2019 to 2023. Prior to that role, he was the 39th chief of staff of the Army from 2015 to 2019. Throughout his career, Milley held various command and staff positions within eight divisions and special forces, marking a long and distinguished military career.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

2003: Start of Iraq War Study

In 2018, Mark Milley was involved in deciding whether the Army would publish a controversial study on the 2003-2006 Iraq War.

2006: End of Iraq War Study

In 2018, Mark Milley was involved in deciding whether the Army would publish a controversial study on the 2003-2006 Iraq War.

October 2018: Reversal of Decision on Iraq War Study Publication

In October 2018, Mark Milley reversed his previous decisions and ordered the official publication of the Army's study on the 2003-2006 Iraq War, including a foreword from himself, after being confronted by a journalist from The Wall Street Journal.

2018: Decision on Iraq War Study Publication

In 2018, Mark Milley was involved in deciding whether the Army would publish a controversial study on the 2003-2006 Iraq War, initially delaying publication but later ordering it with a foreword after media scrutiny.

January 17, 2019: Publication of Iraq War Study

On January 17, 2019, the two-volume study on the 2003-2006 Iraq War was published after congressional pressure.

December 2020: Milley Meets with Taliban

In December 2020, Milley met with the Taliban in Doha to facilitate peace talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government.

January 12, 2021: Joint Chiefs of Staff Issue Statement

On January 12, 2021, Milley and the Joint Chiefs of Staff released a statement condemning the storming of the U.S. Capitol and reminding service members to uphold the Constitution and reject extremism.

June 2021: Report on Lost or Stolen Military Firearms

In June 2021, an Associated Press investigation revealed that at least 1,900 U.S. military firearms were lost or stolen in the last 10 years, with some used in violent crimes, leading Milley to express shock and consider systematic fixes, though some claimed he downplayed the report.

June 30, 2021: Trump Suggests Milley's Resignation

On June 30, 2021, Trump suggested that Milley should resign, implying Milley was unwilling to defend the U.S. military from leftist radicals. This followed Milley's defense of studying a broad range of ideas and reports of a shouting match between Milley and Trump.

July 21, 2021: Milley Reports Taliban Control

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.

August 15, 2021: Taliban Captures Kabul

On August 15, 2021, the Taliban captured Kabul, leading to an international airlift of civilians at Kabul International Airport.

August 2021: Calls for Resignations After Kabul Attack

In August 2021, following the suicide bombing at Kabul Airport, 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.

September 2021: Axios Report on Pentagon Concerns

According to a September 2021 Axios report, Pentagon officials worried in mid-2020 about China receiving faulty intelligence suggesting a possible U.S. strike against China.

September 2021: Milley Testifies on Afghanistan Withdrawal

In late September 2021, Milley testified before the Senate and House Armed Services Committees, characterizing the withdrawal from Afghanistan as "a logistical success but a strategic failure" and rejected calls for his resignation.

November 2022: Milley Urges Political Solution to Russo-Ukrainian War

In November 2022, Milley urged Russia and Ukraine to seek a "political solution" to the Russo-Ukrainian War, stating that the war was unwinnable by purely military means.

September 2023: Trump's Threat on Truth Social

In September 2023, Trump posted on Truth Social that Milley's call to Chinese authorities was an act warranting death, prompting Milley to state he would take measures to ensure his and his family's safety.