President Obama used Memorial Day to fill major jobs on his national security team today, including the nomination of Army Chief of Staff Martin Dempsey to become the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Dempsey, a soldier for four decades and a prominent leader of the Iraq war, is “one of our nation’s most respected, combat-tested generals,” Obama said at a White House ceremony.

Obama told Dempsey and other military appointees that “we have much to do,” including a withdrawal of some U.S. troops from Afghanistan, winding down the war in Iraq, and the ongoing NATO military operation in Libya.

There are also “difficult budget choices” that will likely affect military funding, Obama warned.

If confirmed by the Senate, Dempsey would replace current Joint Chiefs chairman Mike Mullen, whose term expires Sept. 30.

Obama also nominated Navy Admiral James Winnefeld to be vice chair of the Joint Chiefs.

The widely expected announcement was made at a Rose Garden event. Obama is scheduled to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and attend a Memorial Day event at Arlington National Cemetery.

(Source: USA Today / Politico)