Ever wondered what it takes to be the highest-ranking officer in the U.S. military? Mark Milley’s journey from a small-town Massachusetts kid to the 20th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is a story of grit, controversy, and unwavering commitment to duty. From Hockey Rinks to Combat Zones: The Making of Mark Milley Born in Winchester, Massachusetts, on June 20, 1958, Mark Alexander Milley was raised in a military family. His father served as a U.S. Navy corpsman during World War II, and his mother was a nurse in the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service). Inspired by their service, Milley pursued a path that would lead him to become one of the most influential military leaders in recent history. Education and Early Military Career Milley graduated from Princeton University in 1980, receiving his commission as an armor officer through the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC). His early assignments included service with the 82nd Airborne Division and ...