President Trump’s nomination of retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan “Razin'” Caine as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff marks an unprecedented shift in military leadership, as the first career Air National Guard officer poised to lead America’s highest military office.
Key Takeaways
- President Trump nominated retired three-star Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan “Razin'” Caine to serve as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, firing Gen. Charles Q. Brown in a significant military leadership shakeup.
- Caine would be the first career Air National Guard officer to chair the Joint Chiefs of Staff and requires a Senate waiver as a three-star general for a position traditionally held by four-star generals.
- With over 2,800 flight hours including 100+ combat hours in F-16s, Caine played key roles in Operation Iraqi Freedom and anti-ISIS operations, earning multiple distinguished service medals.
- Caine served as deputy commanding general of U.S. Central Command Special Operations Component and worked in Military Affairs at the CIA, bringing unique special operations and intelligence experience.
- Some former defense officials have raised concerns about Caine’s business connections to Trump-affiliated venture capital firms, calling for congressional hearings on potential conflicts of interest.
A Fighter Pilot’s Rise to the Highest Military Office
President Trump’s selection of retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan “Razin'” Caine represents a departure from traditional Joint Chiefs appointments. First commissioned in 1990, Caine served with the 174th Attack Wing at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base in Syracuse, N.Y., accumulating over 2,800 flight hours including more than 100 combat hours in F-16 fighter jets. His military decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster, and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal.
Caine’s nomination comes alongside Trump’s dismissal of Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown, who had not yet completed two years of his four-year term as chairman. The shakeup extends beyond Brown, with Chief of Naval Operations Lisa Franchetti and Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force James Slife also being removed from their positions. This signals the administration’s determination to reshape military leadership and refocus priorities away from diversity initiatives toward combat readiness.
SCUD Hunter and Special Operations Expert
Caine distinguished himself during Operation Iraqi Freedom, particularly in missions targeting SCUD missile sites – complex operations requiring advanced skills with new targeting technologies and night vision equipment. His expertise in these challenging missions earned him respect among fellow pilots and commanders alike, with his tactical knowledge proving invaluable in high-stakes combat scenarios.
“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. He could hang out on the pro level, very relatable, very friendly, but like when he spoke, he was our subject matter expert on power. SCUD was a mission that none of us had really flown,” said James Rennan former pilot for the 149th Lone Star Gunfighters.
Beyond conventional air combat, Caine served as deputy commanding general of the U.S. Central Command Special Operations Component and worked in Military Affairs at the CIA. This unique blend of experience in both special operations and intelligence communities gives him perspective rarely found in Joint Chiefs nominees, potentially bringing fresh strategic insights to America’s highest military advisory position.
“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,” noted Ret. Col. Gary Atkin.
https://twitter.com/SpencerGuard/status/1893108872849891376
Trump’s Confidence and Potential Challenges
President Trump has repeatedly expressed admiration for Caine, particularly regarding his advice during operations against ISIS. During campaign rallies, Trump recounted Caine’s strategic recommendations that proved successful in defeating the terrorist organization. “General ‘Razin’ Caine was — he’s some general. He’s a real general, not a television general,” Trump stated at a campaign event, highlighting his confidence in Caine’s military judgment.
Despite Trump’s enthusiastic endorsement, Caine’s nomination faces several hurdles. As a three-star general, he requires a congressional waiver to serve in a position traditionally held by four-star officers. Additionally, five former defense secretaries have called for congressional hearings on his nomination, citing concerns about his business connections to venture capital firms including Thrive Capital, run by Joshua Kushner, brother of Jared Kushner. Ethics experts have questioned potential conflicts of interest regarding military contracts.
Despite these challenges, colleagues consistently describe Caine as measured, professional, and apolitical. His unique career trajectory from the Air National Guard through special operations and intelligence roles offers a non-traditional perspective that could reshape strategic priorities at the highest levels of military command, aligning with the administration’s focus on combat readiness and operational effectiveness rather than social initiatives.
