Defense Secretary Ash Carter, far left, listens as President Barack Obama nominates Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr. to serve as the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Air Force Gen. Paul J. Selva to serve as the next vice chairman during an announcement at the White House in Washington, D.C., May 5, 2015. Vice President Joe Biden, second from left, participated in the event. If the Senate confirms the nominations, Dunford would succeed Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey and Selva would succeed Navy Adm. James A. Winnefeld Jr.