New US Army Chief Pledges to Maintain World’s Leading Combat Force

New Chief of Staff General Mark Milley pledged at his takeover ceremony that the US Army must remain the world’s most powerful combat force.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The US Army must remain the world’s most powerful combat force, new Chief of Staff General Mark Milley pledged at his takeover ceremony at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Virginia, the Department of Defense News reported.

"As your chief of staff, I will ensure we remain ready as the world's premier combat force," Milley said on Friday, according to the report. "Readiness to fight and win ground combat is and will remain the US Army's No. 1 priority. And there will be no other No. 1."

Milley warned that flagging commitment to maintaining ground forces will have a devastating cost in terms of lives and freedom, the Pentagon newspaper said.

"If we do not maintain our commitment to remain strong, in the air, on the sea, and yes, on the ground, we will pay the butcher's bill in blood, and we will forever lose the precious gift of our freedom," Milley noted. "We will always be ready to fight today, and we will always prepare to fight tomorrow."

Milley most recently served as commander of US Army Forces Command at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.