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Mattis confirmation hearing Tuesday

The Senate Armed Services Committee will hold a confirmation hearing Tuesday for Marine Corps Gen. James N. Mattis, who was nominated by President Barack Obama to head U.S. Central Command.

Mattis, who is currently serving as commander of U.S. Joint Forces Command, was selected for the post in mid-July by Defense Secretary Robert Gates. The post was vacated when Army Gen. David Petraeus was tasked with leading the war in Afghanistan.

Deputy CENTCOM commander Marine Lt. Gen. John Allen became acting commander and will stay on as deputy commander if Mattis is confirmed, marking the first time Marines occupy the command’s top two spots.

Unlike a service-specific post, command of CENTCOM is a unified combatant command with responsibility for maintaining relationships, supporting development and assisting with security in 20 countries throughout the Middle East and Central Asia.

At CENTCOM, Mattis will command about 215,000 troops, the majority of whom are in Iraq and Afghanistan.

It was announced July 20 that Obama has also signed off on the nomination of Gen. Jim Amos to become the 35th Commandant of the Marine Corps. A confirmation hearing for Amos will likely take place after the August congressional recess, but has not yet been scheduled.