Chris LaNeve
Official portrait, 2026
Born	(1967-04-25) April 25, 1967 (age 58) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Allegiance	United States
Branch	United States Army
Service years	1990–present
Rank	General
Commands	Chief of Staff of the Army (acting) Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Eighth Army 82nd Airborne Division 7th Army Training Command 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division 2nd Battalion, 325th Infantry Regiment
Conflicts	War in Afghanistan Iraq War
Awards	Army Distinguished Service Medal (3) Legion of Merit (4) Bronze Star Medal (3)
Alma mater	University of Arizona (BA) Central Michigan University (MS) United States Army Command and General Staff College (MMAS)

Christopher C. LaNeve (born April 25, 1967) is an American general who has served as the 40th vice chief of staff of the United States Army since 6 February 2026. He became the acting chief of staff of the Army on 2 April 2026. He most recently served as the Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, from 2025 to 2026.

A native of Pennsylvania, LaNeve received his commission as an Infantry officer in 1990, via the University of Arizona's Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps program. He was deployed during the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan. LaNeve commanded the 7th Army Training Command from 2018 to 2019, the 82nd Airborne Division from 2022 to 2023, and concurrently served as commanding general of the Eighth Army and chief of staff of the ROK/US Combined Forces Command from 2024 to 2025.

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]

Commissioning from the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps,^[2] LaNeve graduated from the University of Arizona and was commissioned into the Infantry 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]

LaNeve's awards and decorations include:

Other accoutrements
	325th Infantry Regiment Insignia
	Eighth Army Shoulder Sleeve Insignia
	82nd Airborne Division Shoulder Sleeve Insignia
	United Kingdom Parachutist Badge
	9 Overseas Service Bars

Insignia	Rank (US Army)	Date
	General	6 February 2026[7]
	Lieutenant general	5 April 2024[7]
	Major general	25 February 2021[7]
	Brigadier general	2 April 2018[7]
	Colonel	17 February 2012[16]
	Lieutenant colonel	29 September 2006[17]
	Major	6 October 2000 [18]
	Captain
	First lieutenant
	Second lieutenant	May 1990

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

• Media related to Christopher C. LaNeve at Wikimedia Commons