Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford Jr., who is currently commandant of the Marine Corps, is expected to take over Oct. 1 for Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, who will retire after a 41-year Army career.
Dunford led the Afghanistan war coalition during a transitional period in 2013-14.
During his 18 months in Afghanistan, Dunford oversaw the ongoing drawdown of US troops, the transition to Afghan military lead in combat operations and the tumultuous Afghan elections that dragged on and stalled efforts to reach an agreement on the US military's future presence in the country.
The promotion cut short Dunford's service as the commandant of the US Marine Corps, a job he began last October. During his fast-tracked career, Dunford jumped from a one-star general to four stars in about three years.
Dunford, 59, is a Boston native who holds master's degrees in government from Georgetown University and international relations from Tufts University's Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.
The Senate confirmed Dunford on a voice vote, according to AFP .