The DoD Bids Farewell to Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, 18th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Published Sept. 25, 2015 DoD News Features WASHINGTON -- As the top U.S. military officer since Sept. 30, 2011, Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey has advised the nation's leaders on wartime and postwar missions in Afghanistan and Iraq, reaffirmed U.S. ties to allies and partners around the globe and provided counsel and perspective on the strategy to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. At home, Dempsey has focused on military families, veterans and troops returning from war. Learn more in this Defense.gov special report.