With Gen. Richard Myers set to retire as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff next month, betting is strong President Bush will tap as his successor the very impressive Gen. Peter Pace, a U.S. Marine and JCS vice chairman. Pace, considered one of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld??¢â???¬â???¢s closest associates in the Pentagon, would be the first Marine to hold the top military position in the United States. A Vietnam War combat veteran, Pace is a powerful and inspirational speaker, and is known for his tremendous success as a recruiter.