Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Gen. Christopher J. Mahoney

In September, the Senate Armed Services Committee confirmed Marine Corps Gen. Christopher Mahoney as vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, making him the second-highest ranking officer in the Pentagon. 

Responsibilities

• In his position, Gen. Mahoney is the senior adviser to Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs. In this capacity, Mahoney serves as vice chair of the Joint Requirement Oversight Council, which is given oversight of DoD acquisition priorities for major weapon systems. 
• Mahoney is one of six-members of the Nuclear Weapons Council, responsible for directing interagency activities focused on maintaining the safety, security, reliability, and performance of the US nuclear weapons stockpile. 

Quote

During his confirmation hearing on Sept. 11, 2025, Mahoney said: “I would be remiss not to pause on the weight of this day. Twenty-four years ago, America was struck by cowards who mistook slaughter for strength. From the smoke and ruin of that morning rose a generation who answered the call of duty. They have carried forward the memory of the fallen, not in words alone, but in service.”

Military Service

• Sworn in as the assistant commandant of the Marine Corps in 2023, Gen. Mahoney held that position until his latest appointment.
• Deputy Marine Corps commandant for programs and resources at the Pentagon from 2021 to 2023.
• Held command at squadron, group and wing levels. His general officer duties include: deputy commander of the Marine Forces Pacific; director of strategy and plans at Marine Corps headquarters (HQMC); deputy commander, US Forces, Japan; commanding general of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing; and deputy commandant for programs and resources, HQMC.

Education/Training

• Holds a masters degree from both the University of Canberra, Australia, and the Air University, at Maxwell AFB, graduating with academic distinction. 
• A graduate of: the Infantry Officers’ Course, Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course; the Marine Division Tactics Course; and the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN). 
• College of the Holy Cross – BA in Economics in 1987. Commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps. 

Flight Training/Ratings/Missions

• Trained as an infantryman by the Marine Corps, Mahoney became a career aviator in the Navy, logging more than 5,000 hours of flight time in the A-6, F-5, F-18, and the F-35, qualifying as a forward air controller and parachutist,  
• After flight training in Florida and Texas, Mahoney became an A6-E Intruder pilot, later transitioning to F-18 fighter jets, deploying multiple times to the Indo-Pacific, Italy and Iraq. 

Personal

Christopher J. Mahoney was born in 1965, a native of South Weymouth, MA, which lies on the coastal region south of Boston to Cape Cod.