Christopher J. Mahoney

Early life and education Mahoney was born in South Weymouth, Massachusetts, and raised in Cohasset, Massachusetts. He graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in 1987 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps program.

After flight training, he was designated a naval aviator in May 1990. Mahoney later earned a master's degree in management from the University of Canberra in December 2001 and a second master's degree in international strategic relations from the Air War College at Air University in May 2007. He has also graduated from the Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course (WTI), the Marine Division Tactics Course (MDTC), the United States Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN), and the Australian Command and Staff College.

He has held command at the squadron, group and wing levels. He completed a Joint Force tour as Chief of Staff of the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California, and he served as the Executive Assistant to the Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources at Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps (HQMC).

In July 2023, Mahoney was nominated for promotion to general and appointment as assistant commandant of the Marine Corps. His confirmation vote was delayed by the hold placed by Senator Tommy Tuberville on all military nominations. General Mahoney was sworn in as the 37th assistant commandant of the Marine Corps on 3 November 2023. In June 2025, he was nominated to become the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff by President Donald Trump. On 11 September 2025, the confirmation hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee was held for Mahoney to be appointed as Joint Chiefs vice chairmen, replacing Navy Admiral Christopher Grady. He was sworn into the position as the 13th vice chairmen on 1 October 2025. with and one bronze award star Meritorious Service Medal

Air Medal with and one bronze award star and bronze Strike/Flight numeral 14 Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal

Joint Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf cluster

Navy Unit Commendation with two bronze service stars Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation

U.S. Service (Campaign) Medals and Service and Training Ribbons National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star Iraq Campaign Medal with four service star Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Korea Defense Service Medal Armed Forces Service Medal Navy and Marine Corps Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with silver service star and four bronze service stars Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon with two bronze service star NATO Medal

U.S. badges, patches and tabs 100px Rifle Expert Badge (5th award) 100px Pistol Expert Badge (5th award) 90px Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge