Chief of Staff of the United States Army

Chief of Staff of the Army
Army Staff Identification Badge
Flag of the Chief of Staff
since 21 September 2023
Department of the Army
Army Staff
TypeUnited States Army service chief
AbbreviationCSA
Member ofJoint Chiefs of Staff
Reports toSecretary of the Army
ResidenceQuarters 1, Fort Myer
SeatThe Pentagon, Arlington County, Virginia
AppointerThe President
with Senate advice and consent
Term length4 years
Renewable one time, only during war or national emergency
Constituting instrument10 U.S.C. § 3033
PrecursorCommanding General of the Army
Formation15 August 1903
First holderLTG Samuel B. M. Young
DeputyVice Chief of Staff of the Army
Websitewww.army.mil

The chief of staff of the Army (CSA) is a statutory position in the United States Army held by a general officer. As the highest-ranking officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Army, the chief is the principal military advisor and a deputy to the secretary of the Army. In a separate capacity, the CSA is a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (10 U.S.C. § 151) and, thereby, a military advisor to the National Security Council, the secretary of defense, and the president of the United States. The CSA is typically the highest-ranking officer on active duty in the U.S. Army unless the chairman or the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff are Army officers.

The chief of staff of the Army is an administrative position based in the Pentagon. While the CSA does not have operational command authority over Army forces proper (which is within the purview of the Combatant Commanders who report to the Secretary of Defense), the CSA does exercise supervision of army units and organizations as the designee of the Secretary of the Army.

The current Chief of Staff of the Army is General Randy George, who was sworn in on 21 September 2023, having previously served as acting CSA from 4 August.