New Military Chief Sworn In

General Martin Dempsey was sworn in as the 18^th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Friday, an ascension that makes the four-star General the highest ranking officer in the U.S. military.

Dempsey, who recently served as the Army’s Chief of Staff, takes the reins from Admiral Michael Mullen, who served as Chairman since October 2007. Both men were honored Friday in a ceremony at Ft. Myer in Virginia attended by President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.

Shortly after being sworn in, Dempsey promised to follow in Mullen’s footsteps and maintain a strong, dedicated military force.

In his departing remarks, Mullen emphasized that the U.S. needs to maintain it’s complex, and sometimes shaky, relationship with Pakistan. He added that stability within the region, primarily in regards to Afghanistan, relies on ongoing cooperation with the Pakistanis. The remarks come shortly after Mullen made headlines by telling a Congressional panel that Pakistan’s intelligence agency was aiding regional extremists.