History of Mark Milley in Timeline
Mark Alexander Milley is a retired United States Army general. He served as the 20th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from October 1, 2019, to September 30, 2023. Prior to this role, he was the 39th chief of staff of the Army from August 14, 2015, to August 9, 2019. Throughout his career, he served in various command and staff positions across eight divisions and special forces.
1924: Birth of Alexander Milley
Alexander Milley, Mark Milley's father, was born in 1924.
March 1943: Alexander Milley Enlists in the US Navy
In March 1943, Mark Milley's father, Alexander Milley, enlisted in the U.S. Navy.
June 20, 1958: Birth of Mark Alexander Milley
Mark Alexander Milley was born on June 20, 1958.
January 19, 1965: Birth of Hollyanne Haas
Hollyanne Haas, who later married Mark Milley, was born on January 19, 1965. She pursued a career in nursing, specializing in critical care and cardiac nursing.
1976: Death of Peter Milley
Mark Milley's paternal grandfather, Peter Milley, passed away in 1976.
1980: Milley Commissioned as Armor Officer
In 1980, Mark Milley earned his commission as an armor officer after graduating from Princeton University's ROTC program.
1980: Milley Graduates from Princeton University
Mark Milley graduated from Princeton University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in politics in 1980.
1980: Milley Commissions as Armor Officer
Mark Milley was commissioned as an armor officer in 1980 through Princeton's Army ROTC program.
May 1985: Marriage to Hollyanne Haas
In May 1985, Mark Milley married Hollyanne Haas. The couple has two children. Hollyanne has had a distinguished career in nursing, working in critical care and cardiac nursing.
1996: Milley commands 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry
Mark Milley commanded the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry, 2nd Infantry Division in South Korea from 1996 to 1998.
1998: Milley ends command of 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry
In 1998, Mark Milley concluded his command of the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry.
December 2003: Milley commands 2nd Brigade Combat Team
From December 2003 to July 2005, Mark Milley commanded the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light).
2003: Start of Iraq War Period Covered in Army Study
This year marks the beginning of the period covered by the controversial U.S. Army study on the 2003-2006 Iraq War, the publication of which General Milley delayed and then ultimately approved.
July 2005: Milley ends command of 2nd Brigade Combat Team
In July 2005, Mark Milley finished his command of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team.
2006: End of Iraq War Period Covered in Army Study
This year marks the end of the period covered by the controversial U.S. Army study on the 2003-2006 Iraq War, the publication of which General Milley delayed and then ultimately approved.
July 2007: Milley becomes Deputy Commanding General of 101st Airborne Division
Mark Milley served as the Deputy Commanding General for Operations of the 101st Airborne Division from July 2007 to April 2008.
April 2008: Milley ends role as Deputy Commanding General
In April 2008, Mark Milley concluded his service as Deputy Commanding General for Operations of the 101st Airborne Division.
November 2011: Milley takes command of 10th Mountain Division
Mark Milley became the Commanding General of the 10th Mountain Division in November 2011.
December 2012: Milley relinquishes command of 10th Mountain Division
In December 2012, Mark Milley ended his time as Commanding General of the 10th Mountain Division.
May 2013: Milley commands ISAF Joint Command
From May 2013 to February 2014, Mark Milley commanded the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command.
February 2014: Milley ends command of ISAF Joint Command
Mark Milley's leadership of the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command concluded in February 2014.
August 2014: Milley takes command of III Corps and US Army Forces Command
Mark Milley assumed command of III Corps at Fort Hood, Texas, in August 2014, and later the United States Army Forces Command at Fort Liberty, North Carolina.
August 14, 2015: Mark Milley becomes the 39th Chief of Staff of the Army
On August 14, 2015, Mark Milley assumed the role of the 39th Chief of Staff of the Army.
August 2015: Milley leaves command of US Army Forces Command
In August 2015, Mark Milley transitioned from his role as Commanding General of the United States Army Forces Command.
2015: Death of Alexander Milley
Alexander Milley, Mark Milley's father, died in 2015.
February 2017: Establishment of Security Force Assistance Brigades
The Army established Security Force Assistance Brigades (SFABs) in February 2017 at Fort Benning to conduct security cooperation activities.
2017: Reestablishment of US-Russia Military Chief Meetings
In 2017, meetings between the American and Russian military chiefs were reestablished by Milley's predecessor, Joseph Dunford, to improve communication and mitigate risks in conflict zones.
2017: Consideration of "Pinks and Greens" Uniform
In early 2017, Milley and Sergeant Major of the Army Daniel A. Dailey considered reinstating the "Pinks and Greens" uniform as a tribute to World War II soldiers.
2017: Milley focuses on Army Modernization
In 2017, Mark Milley emphasized modernization efforts for the Army, including a new command structure and upgrades to tanks, aircraft, and weapons.
October 2018: Milley Reverses Decision on Iraq War Study Publication
In October 2018, General Mark Milley reversed his earlier decision to delay the publication of a U.S. Army study on the 2003-2006 Iraq War, ordering its official release with a foreword from himself. He praised the study as "a solid work" and the authors for doing "a damn good job."
November 2018: Return of "Pinks and Greens" Uniform Approved
Secretary of the Army Esper approved the return of the "Pinks and Greens" uniform in November 2018, addressing cost concerns for enlisted soldiers.
December 8, 2018: Trump Nominates Milley as Chairman
On December 8, 2018, President Donald Trump announced his nomination of General Mark Milley to be the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
2018: Establishment of Army Futures Command
In 2018, Secretary of the Army Mark Esper and Milley established the Army Futures Command in Austin, Texas, to leverage academic and industrial expertise for modernization initiatives.
2018: Development of New Army Combat Fitness Test
In 2018, a new Army Combat Fitness Test was developed to enhance combat readiness by simulating physical demands of combat.
January 17, 2019: Publication of Iraq War Study
On January 17, 2019, the two-volume study on the 2003-2006 Iraq War, whose publication had been delayed by General Mark Milley, was finally released.
May 2019: Milley Commissions Climate Change Report
In May 2019, General Mark Milley commissioned a U.S. Army War College report on the impact of climate change on society and the military.
July 25, 2019: Senate Confirms Milley's Nomination
On July 25, 2019, the Senate confirmed General Mark Milley's nomination as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff with an 89-1 vote.
August 9, 2019: Mark Milley ends his term as the 39th Chief of Staff of the Army
Mark Milley's term as the 39th Chief of Staff of the Army concluded on August 9, 2019.
August 2019: Release of Climate Change Report
In August 2019, the U.S. Army War College report on the impact of climate change, commissioned by General Mark Milley, was released. The report warned of potential societal and military consequences, including blackouts, disease, food shortages, and increased conflict.
September 30, 2019: Milley Becomes Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
On September 30, 2019, General Mark Milley began his tenure as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
October 1, 2019: Mark Milley becomes Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
On October 1, 2019, Mark Milley began serving as the 20th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
December 16, 2019: Milley Attends Battle of the Bulge Commemoration
On December 16, 2019, General Mark Milley attended the 75th anniversary commemorations of the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium.
June 1, 2020: Milley Walks with Trump Across Lafayette Square
On June 1, 2020, General Mark Milley, in combat uniform, walked with President Trump across Lafayette Square to St. John's Episcopal Church shortly after the forceful dispersal of protesters. This action drew criticism for the perceived politicization of the military.
October 2020: Implementation of New Army Combat Fitness Test
A new Army Combat Fitness Test, designed to improve combat readiness, was set to replace the older test by October 2020.
October 30, 2020: Milley's Call to Chinese General Li Zuocheng
On October 30, 2020, General Mark Milley called General Li Zuocheng of China to assure him of the stability of the U.S. government and to state that the U.S. would not launch a surprise attack.
November 2020: Trump Loses Re-election Bid
In November 2020, President Trump lost his bid for re-election, leading to subsequent attempts to overturn the election results and the January 6th Capitol attack. During this time, Milley expressed concerns about a potential coup.
December 2020: Meeting with Taliban for peace talks
In December 2020, Mark Milley met with the Taliban in Doha to facilitate peace talks between them and the Afghan government. He believed that maintaining U.S. troop presence in Afghanistan was essential to prevent another terrorist attack like September 11.
2020: Hollyanne Haas saves a veteran's life
In 2020, during a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, Hollyanne Haas, the wife of Mark Milley, administered CPR to a veteran who had collapsed, effectively saving his life.
2020: Shouting match with Trump over military involvement
In 2020, Mark Milley reportedly engaged in a shouting match with then-President Trump over the military's involvement in the 2020–2021 US race protests. Trump denied this incident and accused Milley of falsifying it.
2020: Chinese Concerns Over Potential US Strike Emerge
During 2020, Chinese officials reportedly received inaccurate information that suggested a possible impending attack by the United States, leading to increased tensions between the two nations.
January 12, 2021: Joint Chiefs Condemn Capitol Attack
On January 12, 2021, General Milley and the Joint Chiefs of Staff issued a statement condemning the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol and reaffirming the military's commitment to the Constitution.
January 2021: Milley's Second Call to General Li Zuocheng
In January 2021, two days after the January 6th Capitol attack, General Mark Milley again called General Li Zuocheng to reassure him of the stability of the U.S. government and reaffirm that everything was under control.
January 2021: Continuation as Chairman under Biden
In January 2021, upon the inauguration of Joe Biden as President, Mark Milley was invited to continue serving as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and accepted the offer.
January 15, 2021: Trump's military order to withdraw troops
According to the book 'Peril,' Mark Milley became aware of a military order from Trump to withdraw all troops from Afghanistan by January 15, 2021, which had been drafted without consulting national security officials. This order raised concerns among officials, including CIA director Gina Haspel, who feared a right-wing coup and potential aggression towards Iran.
June 2021: Scandal of lost military firearms
In June 2021, an Associated Press investigation revealed that at least 1,900 U.S. military firearms had been lost or stolen over the past decade, predominantly by the U.S. Army. Some of these firearms were later linked to violent crimes. Mark Milley, upon learning of the scandal, expressed shock and considered implementing a systematic fix for tracking military firearms, although he was also accused of downplaying the report.
June 23, 2021: Milley defends military education
On June 23, 2021, Mark Milley addressed criticism from Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz regarding the inclusion of critical race theory in the U.S. military's curriculum. Milley expressed that he found it offensive to characterize the military as 'woke' and emphasized the importance of understanding the motivations behind the Capitol riot, stating, 'What is it that caused thousands of people to assault this building and try to overturn the Constitution?'
June 30, 2021: Trump suggests Milley should resign
On June 30, 2021, former President Trump suggested that Mark Milley should resign, accusing him of being unwilling to defend the US military from 'Leftist Radicals.' This statement followed Milley's defense of including critical race theory in military education and reports of a prior heated exchange between Milley and Trump over the military's role in the 2020–2021 race protests.
July 2021: Publication of "I Alone Can Fix It"
"I Alone Can Fix It," a book by Washington Post reporters Philip Rucker and Carol Leonnig, was published in July 2021. The book detailed General Milley's concerns about a possible coup attempt by President Trump following the 2020 election.
July 21, 2021: Milley on Taliban's momentum in Afghanistan
On July 21, 2021, Mark Milley reported that the Taliban had gained control over half of Afghanistan's districts, with momentum seemingly on their side. This was during the final phase of U.S. troop withdrawal, leading to concerns about the stability of the Afghan government.
August 15, 2021: Taliban captures Kabul
On August 15, 2021, the Taliban captured Kabul as the Afghan government collapsed. This prompted an international airlift of civilians from Kabul International Airport, which remained temporarily under U.S. and NATO control. Milley had earlier reported the Taliban's significant territorial gains.
August 26, 2021: Call for resignations after Kabul Airport bombing
On August 26, 2021, following a suicide bombing at Kabul Airport that killed 183 people, including 13 U.S. service members, Republican lawmakers demanded the resignation of President Biden, Vice President Harris, Secretary of State Blinken, Defense Secretary Austin, and Mark Milley.
September 2021: Denial of agreeing Trump was 'crazy'
In September 2021, Mark Milley, during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, denied claims from the book 'Peril' that he had agreed with Nancy Pelosi in a call that President Trump was 'crazy.' Milley stated that he was not qualified to assess the mental health of the President of the United States.
September 2021: Report of Chinese Concerns Over Potential US Strike
In September 2021, reports emerged that Chinese officials had been concerned about a potential surprise U.S. strike in mid-2020, based on what later proved to be dubious intelligence.
September 2021: Milley's testimony on Afghanistan withdrawal
In late September 2021, Mark Milley testified before the Senate and House Armed Services Committees, describing the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the evacuation from Kabul as a 'logistical success but a strategic failure.' He rejected calls from Republican committee members to resign.
September 28, 2021: Congressional hearing on communications with China
On September 28, 2021, Mark Milley testified at a congressional hearing regarding his communications with China. He clarified that the calls were coordinated with the staffs of then-Defense Secretaries Esper and Miller, both before and after they took place. Pentagon officials confirmed that Miller was informed of the calls, and Milley's spokesman emphasized that all calls from the Chairman to his counterparts are coordinated with the Department of Defense.
November 2021: Pentagon Confirms Chinese Concerns and US Reassurance Efforts
In November 2021, the Pentagon confirmed previous reports about Chinese anxieties over a potential U.S. strike and disclosed that Mark Milley and other officials had contacted their Chinese counterparts to offer reassurance.
November 2022: Call for political solution in Russo-Ukrainian War
In November 2022, Mark Milley urged Russia and Ukraine to find a political solution to the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War, stating that the conflict could not be won solely through military means.
2022: Milley's Draft Resignation Letter Published
In 2022, a draft resignation letter written by General Mark Milley in response to the Lafayette Square incident was published. The letter was highly critical of President Trump but ultimately not submitted.
February 2023: Assessment of Russia's losses in Ukraine
In February 2023, Mark Milley stated that Russia had suffered significant strategic, operational, and tactical losses in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and was incurring a heavy toll on the battlefield.
September 2023: Trump's accusation of treason against Milley
In September 2023, former President Trump suggested on Truth Social that Mark Milley's call to reassure Chinese authorities post-January 6 Capitol attack was treasonous, which historically would be punishable by death. In response, Milley mentioned taking measures to ensure his and his family's safety.
September 29, 2023: Relinquishment of Chairman position
On September 29, 2023, Mark Milley ceremonially relinquished his position as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to General Charles Q. Brown Jr. This marked the end of his official term in this role, which concluded on September 30, 2023.
September 30, 2023: Mark Milley retires as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Mark Milley retired from his position as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on September 30, 2023.
February 2024: Milley joins Georgetown and Princeton faculty
In February 2024, Mark Milley joined Georgetown University as a distinguished fellow and Princeton University as the Charles and Marie Robertson visiting professor, contributing to their programs in Security Studies and Public Affairs respectively. Additionally, he became a senior adviser to JPMorgan Chase and joined the Harry Walker Agency as a speaker.
October 25, 2024: Trump's claim about military equipment in Afghanistan
On October 25, 2024, in a podcast with Joe Rogan, Donald Trump alleged that Mark Milley had commented, 'It's cheaper to leave it,' regarding the U.S. military equipment left in Afghanistan during the withdrawal.
2024: Milley's fear of court-martial under Trump
In 2024, Mark Milley expressed fears of being court-martialed if Donald Trump were reelected. He called Trump the 'most dangerous person ever' and described him as a 'fascist to the core.'
June 2025: End of Princeton faculty appointment
Mark Milley's appointment as the Charles and Marie Robertson visiting professor and lecturer at Princeton University is set to conclude in June 2025.