Christopher LaNeve

LaNeve is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.^[1] He obtained an undergraduate degree from the University of Arizona in 1989,^[2] a Master's of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University, and a Master's of Military Art and Science in Strategic Studies from the Command and General Staff College Advanced Operational Art Studies Fellowship. His military education includes the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Combined Arms Services Staff School, the Command and General Staff College, the Joint Forces Staff College, and Senior Service College Fellows Course.^[3][4]

LaNeve received his commission via the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps at the University of Arizona^[2] as an Infantry officer in May 1990. His initial assignment was to Fort Ord, where he served in 4th Battalion, 21st Infantry, 7th Infantry Division. As a Captain, he commanded a company in the 101st Airborne Division, 3d Battalion, 327th Infantry as well as the Sabalauski Air Assault School after completing the Infantry Officer's Advanced Course and service at the Western Illinois University ROTC program. He then transferred to Washington, D.C. in 1999 where he was assigned as the Executive Officer to the Army Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans (G-3/5/7), and later the Deputy Director of Executive Communications and Control Division-Operations in the Office of the Chief of Staff of the Army.^[3]

Following Command and General Staff College, while a major, he was assigned to 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division. He served as the Brigade S4 and Operations Officer for 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry, and subsequently as the Brigade Operations Officer. In 2006, he was assigned to the Defense Intelligence Agency, Joint Staff, Washington, D.C., where he served in the Defense Warning Office.^[3]

LaNeve commanded 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division. Following command, he assumed duties as the J3, Combined Joint Task Force 82 in Regional Command East, Afghanistan. Upon redeployment, he served as the G3, 82nd Airborne Division. LTG LaNeve went on to command the "Bulldog BCT," 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division at Fort Bliss, and Operations Group (COG), Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Johnson. After his time at Fort Johnson, he served as the Executive Officer to the Commander, Resolute Support Mission, Afghanistan and then as the Deputy Commanding General for Operations, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Afterwards, he served as the Commanding General for the 7th Army Training Command, Grafenwoehr, Germany, and then at the Pentagon as the HQDA Director of Operations, Readiness, and Mobilization in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff (G-3/5/7). Prior to command of the 82nd Airborne Division he served as the Deputy Chief of Staff (G-3/5/7) for U.S. Army Forces Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.^[3][5]

LaNeve was the commanding general of the 82nd Airborne Division from March 2022 until November 2023, during which time the division was deployed to Poland due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. From November 2023 to March 2024, he was a special assistant to the commanding general of U.S. Army Forces Command at Fort Bragg.^[2][6][7] LaNeve assumed command of the United States Eighth Army in South Korea on 5 April 2024.^[8] In March 2025, LaNeve was nominated for reappointment as a lieutenant general and assignment as senior military assistant to the secretary of defense.^[9][10] He relinquished command of the Eighth Army on 16 April 2025^[11] and took the post of senior military assistant to defense secretary Pete Hegseth. In October 2025, LaNeve was nominated by President Donald Trump for assignment as the vice chief of staff of the United States Army and for appointment to the grade of general, replacing James Mingus.^[12][13] He was confirmed by the Senate on 7 January 2026,^[14] and took office on 6 February 2026.^[7]

LaNeve became the acting chief of staff of the Army after the removal of Randy George by Pete Hegseth on 2 April 2026 amid the 2026 Iran war.^[15][16]

LaNeve's awards and decorations include:

Master Combat Infantryman Badge
Army Distinguished Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters					Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters
Bronze Star Medal with two oak leaf clusters				Defense Meritorious Service Medal				Meritorious Service Medalwith two oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Commendation Medal				Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster				Army Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
National Defense Service Medal with star				Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two stars				Iraq Campaign Medal with two stars
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal				Global War on Terrorism Service Medal				Korea Defense Service Medal
Army Service Ribbon with star				Army Overseas Service				NATO Medal Non-Article 5 with star
Multinational Force and Observers Medal				Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf cluster				Army Superior Unit Award
Master Parachutist Badge				Pathfinder Badge				Air Assault Badge
Ranger Tab

LaNeve and his wife Kim have a daughter and a son who are officers serving in the U.S. Army.^[3]