Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan “Razin'” Caine, Trump’s unconventional choice for Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, brings a battle-tested fighter pilot’s ethos to America’s highest military office after President Trump fired several top military leaders including Gen. Brown.
Quick Takes
- President Trump has nominated retired three-star Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan “Razin'” Caine as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, marking a significant shift in military leadership
- Caine, with his background in the Air National Guard and combat experience in Iraq, would be the first career Air National Guard officer to chair the Joint Chiefs
- His nomination requires Senate confirmation and a waiver since he is a three-star general rather than the traditional four-star rank
- Caine has extensive experience including over 100 combat hours in F-16 aircraft, roles with special operations, and work with the CIA
- Some have raised concerns about Caine’s business connections to Trump family associates, while supporters praise his warfighter ethos and leadership
Trump’s Bold Military Leadership Shake-up
President Trump has made a decisive move in reshaping America’s military leadership by firing Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and nominating retired Lt. Gen. Dan “Razin'” Caine to replace him. The decision comes as part of a broader purge that included dismissing Chief of Naval Operations Lisa Franchetti and Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force James Slife, signaling the administration’s determination to move away from what many conservatives view as politically correct military leadership focused on diversity initiatives rather than combat readiness.
Trump has made no secret of his admiration for Caine, describing him as “a real general, not a television general” in previous speeches. The nomination represents a significant departure from traditional appointments, as Caine is a retired three-star general rather than the customary four-star rank required for the position. This unconventional choice reflects Trump’s commitment to prioritizing battlefield experience and strategic vision over bureaucratic credentials and institutional seniority that have dominated Pentagon leadership in recent years.
Caine’s Distinguished Military Background
Lt. Gen. Caine’s military journey began in 1990 when he was first commissioned and served with the 174th Attack Wing at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base in Syracuse, N.Y. Over his impressive career, he has accumulated over 2,800 flight hours, including more than 100 combat hours in F-16 aircraft. His service record includes numerous decorations such as the Defense Superior Service Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster, and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, attesting to his valor and leadership on the battlefield.
“General ‘Razin’ Caine was — he’s some general. He’s a real general, not a television general,” Trump has said of his nominee, highlighting the combat-oriented leadership he seeks to restore to the Pentagon.
Caine’s military expertise was particularly evident during Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he played a crucial role in missions targeting SCUD missile sites. His former colleague James Rennan praised his exceptional abilities: “That was a pretty complex mission for the F-16. Partially because of our speeds, we were getting used to new targeting pods, night vision goggles, all this kind of stuff. And although most of us were proficient F-16 pilots, very few guys have the discipline to be the resident expert, and it became evident Raisin’ was the smartest guy in the room.”
From Air National Guard to Top Military Advisor
Caine’s path to nomination for America’s highest military office is particularly notable as he would become the first career Air National Guard officer to chair the Joint Chiefs of Staff. His diverse military background includes service as deputy commanding general of the U.S. Central Command Special Operations Component and director of Military Affairs at the CIA. This unconventional career trajectory brings a fresh perspective to military leadership, combining practical combat experience with special operations expertise and intelligence community knowledge.
“He always kept striving for more and striving for perfection. There’s guys that sit around the squadron and drink beer, and then there’s other guys that keep trying to do more stuff, you know. So that was Dan. He was working on the test center out in Tucson, going to fighter weapons school, he was always kind of looking for all of these other things,” recalled Ret. Col. Gary Atkin about Caine’s drive for excellence.
Challenges and Controversy Surrounding the Nomination
Despite Caine’s impressive credentials, his nomination faces several hurdles. As a three-star general, he would require a congressional waiver to serve as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a position traditionally held by four-star generals. Additionally, concerns have been raised about his business connections, including ties to venture capital firms such as Thrive Capital, run by Joshua Kushner, brother of Jared Kushner. These connections have prompted ethics experts to highlight potential conflicts of interest with military contracts.
Five former defense secretaries have called for congressional hearings and a hold on Caine’s nomination, arguing that the administration should justify the firing of Gen. Brown and explain why it violated Congress’ legislative intent that the chairman complete a four-year term. “The House and Senate should demand that the administration justify each firing and fully explain why it violated Congress’ legislative intent that the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff complete a four-year term in office. General CQ Brown Jr. had not yet completed two years in the job,” the former Pentagon leaders stated.
Despite these challenges, Caine’s supporters emphasize his professionalism and leadership qualities. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth described him as someone who “embodies the warfighter ethos and is exactly the leader we need to meet the moment.” This endorsement reflects the administration’s focus on rebuilding a lethal fighting force and moving away from the diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives that many conservatives believe have weakened military readiness under previous leadership.
