Returning to the 101st Airborne Division in 2004, George commanded 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment and deployed a second time to Iraq.

[12] In 2008 George returned to the 4th Infantry Division, where he commanded 4th Brigade Combat Team and deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

[12] George's most recent command was of I Corps at Joint Base Lewis McChord, after which he served as the senior military assistant to the Secretary of Defense.

[12] George's nomination to be Army chief of staff was among those delayed by Senator Tommy Tuberville's hold over opposition to DoD's abortion policy.

[13] Having been confirmed via standalone vote on 21 September, George was sworn in on the same day via phone by Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth while visiting soldiers of the 11th Airborne Division in Alaska.