Obama's Expected Pick For Joint Chiefs Chairman Has Boston Ties

BOSTON (CBS) -- President Barack Obama's expected choice for the nation's top military post has local ties.

U.S. officials have said he'll nominate Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford Jr. to be the chairman of the Joint Chiefs Of Staff.

Dunford grew up in Quincy, graduated from Boston College High School and has a master's degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.

He has been commandant of the Marine Corps since October, and before that was the top U.S. military commander in Afghanistan.

Dunford is expected to be easily confirmed by the Senate.