General Peter Pace
USMC Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff

General Peter Pace is the sixteenth Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.  In this capacity, he serves as the principal military advisor to the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the National Security Council. General Pace is the first Marine to serve as Chairman.

Prior to becoming Chairman, General Pace served as the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for four years.  He also holds the distinction of being the first Marine to hold that position.

General Pace was commissioned in June 1967, following graduation from the United States Naval Academy. He holds a Master's Degree in Business Administration from George Washington University, attended the Harvard University Senior Executives in National and International Security program, and graduated from the National War College.

During his distinguished career, General Pace has held command at virtually every level, beginning as a Rifle Platoon Leader in Vietnam.  He also served as Commanding Officer of the Marine Barracks in Washington, D.C.; Deputy Commander, Marine Forces Somalia; Deputy Commander, Joint Task Force Somalia; Director of Operations for the Joint Staff; Commander, U.S., Marine Forces Atlantic/Europe/South; and Commander in Chief, U.S. Southern Command.