40th Chief of Staff of the Army

General James C. McConville assumed duties as the 40th Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, on August 9, 2019 after most recently serving as the 36th Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army.

He is a native of Quincy, Massachusetts and graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. He holds a Master’s of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and was a National Security Fellow at Harvard University in 2002.

General McConville’s command assignments include the Commanding General of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) where he also served as the Commanding General, Combined Joint Task Force-101, OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM, Afghanistan; Deputy Commanding General (Support) of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) where he also served as the Deputy Commanding General (Support) of Combined Joint Task Force-101, OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM, Afghanistan; Commander of 4th Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM, Iraq; Commander of 2nd Squadron, 17th Calvary Regiment 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault); and Commander of C Troop, 2nd Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division (Light). 

His key staff assignments include the U.S. Army Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1; Chief of Legislative Liaison; Executive Officer to the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army; G-3 for the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault); J5 Strategic Planner for the United States Special Operations Command; S-3 for the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade; S-3 for 5th Squadron, 9th Cavalry; and S-3 for Flight Concepts Division. 

General McConville is the Senior Army Aviator qualified in the AH-64D Longbow Apache, the OH-58 Kiowa Warrior, the AH-6, AH-1 Cobra and other aircraft. His awards and decorations include two Distinguished Service Medals, three Legions of Merit, three Bronze Star Medals, two Defense Meritorious Service Medals, three Meritorious Service Medals, two Air Medals, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, two Army Commendation Medals, four Army Achievement Medals, the Combat Action Badge, the Expert Infantryman’s Badge, the Master Army Aviator Badge, the Air Assault Badge, the Parachutist Badge, and the Army Staff Identification Badge.