Chief Judge Erdmann is scheduled to leave the court in July 2017.
At that point, the next judge in line will fleet up to be chief judge. Interestingly Judges Stucky and Ryan took the oath on the same day for the same term. However, I’m reliably advised that by statute Judge Stucky will become chief judge.
It appears DoD has sent out a letter to various bar associations soliciting nominations, to be submitted by the end of March.
For an interesting discussion of CAAF judges, check out my friend Eugene R. Fidell, The Next Judge, 5 J. NAT. SEC. LAW & POL., 303 (2011).