The Army and Navy are set to join the Marine Corps in being without a full-time top officer as the Senate leaves for a five-week break without finding a way to end Republican Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville's blockade on general and admiral promotions.
Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville is set to retire next week, while Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday will depart in mid-August.
The Senate began its summer recess Thursday night without confirming replacements for either officer and is not scheduled to return until Sept. 5, ensuring the Army and Navy will join the growing cadre of military services led by acting chiefs.
The rare scenario is playing out because Tuberville is using a procedural tactic known as a hold to prevent quick confirmations for all general and flag officer nominees to try to force the Pentagon to reverse its recently implemented policy covering travel and leave for troops who need to get abortions.
Tuberville first placed the hold in late February, and it has since ensnared 273 nominees. And as the summer proceeds, the Joint Chiefs of Staff are increasingly feeling the pinch.
Already, the commandant of the Marine Corps retired earlier this month without his replacement being confirmed, leaving the service with an acting commandant for the first time in 164 years. Now, the Army and Navy face the same fate, and the...
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