Gen. Eric Smith took on the role Friday morning in a small ceremony at the Pentagon. The Senate voted Thursday to confirm Gen. Eric Smith to be the top Marine general, ending a monthslong limbo for the Marine Corps. “I don’t mind breaking my own back,” said Gen. Eric Smith, who is both the acting and assistant commandant. “It’s just, I have to make good decisions.” “This is a situation that one senator has created for us,” Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said at the Air, Space and Cyber Conference in Maryland. Rep. Michael McCaul tells CNN’s “State of the Union” that the hold on military nominations and promotions is a national security issue. The expeditionary force is supposed to be commanded by a three-star general. A bipartisan group of senators seeks to boost defense spending beyond the debt ceiling cap amid resistance from House Republicans. Lt. Gen. Christopher Mahoney is a career aviator with more than 5,000 flight hours under his belt. The Senate hold on military promotions impacts service members, families and the communities they call home. By Karen Holt
10 months ago Gen. Eric Smith and his wife won’t be moving their boxes into the "Home of the Commandants" quite yet, but he will have powers of a confirmed top Marine. Load More