Lt. Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., Commander, U.S. Air Forces Central Command, is interviewed by CBS News reporter David Martin at the Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC) at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, Oct. 7, 2015. The CAOC is comprised of a joint and coalition team that executes day-to-day combined air and space operations and provides rapid reaction, positive control, coordination, and deconfliction of weapon systems. (Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Joshua Strang) The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
By: FEDweek StaffGen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., the Air Force chief of staff, will likely be nominated by President Biden to serve as the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. News of Brown’s selection first appeared Politico, and was later reported by numerous other media sources.
The Air and Space Forces (AFA) published an article that highlighted numerous milestones in Brown’s career, which began when he was commissioned in 1984. He spent his initial years in uniform as an F-16 pilot, and went on to hold commands in both the Pacific and Middle east, eventually rising to become the fourth Black man to hold the rank of four-start general.
Most recently, AFA reported, Brown moved forward with a policy paper intended to be used as a guideline for future growth of the Air Force. The document, entitled “Accelerate Change or Lose,” focused upon cutting bureaucracy and fostering innovation, AFA reported.
He is also credited with taking numerous steps to rid the ranks of discrimination and harassment and promote diversity. He made it clear that his treatment as a young African-American pilot crystalized his desire to ensure that those who came after him would encounter no such hurdles.
“I’m thinking about the pressure I felt to perform error-free, especially for supervisors I perceived had expected less from me as an African-American,” Brown said in a video that explained his sense of purpose. “I’m thinking about having to represent by working twice as hard to prove their expectations and perceptions of African Americans were invalid.”
The AFA report noted that if confirmed by the Senate, Brown would face a litany of challenges. The armed services are in constant struggles to confront adversaries like China and Russia, and address the need to fill the ranks as interest in joining the service has waned considerably.
Trump to move Space Command headquarters out of Colorado
National Guard Order Calls for Hiring More Fed LEOs, Military Unit Under Interior, DHS, Justice
Audit: Rise in ‘Severe Staffing Shortages’ at VA Medical Facilities
Marines Seek New Boots on the Ground
Can My Military Discharge be Upgraded? Yes
The Rules for Getting Both Military Retired Pay and a Federal Annuity
Credit for Military Service for Federal Retirement Annuities
