Reports suggest that President-elect Donald Trump and his Defense Secretary pick, Pete Hegseth, have expressed concerns over Air Force Gen. CQ Brown’s leadership as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Some critics argue that Brown, the second Black man to ever hold this top military post after Colin Powell, is too “woke,” accusing him of prioritizing diversity over military excellence.
I disagree with these accusations. The Trump team should take into account Brown’s track record since he became chairman last year following Gen. Mark Milley’s retirement. Brown is expected to serve in this role through 2027.
Despite backlash, Gen. CQ Brown’s leadership secures vital U.S. military advancements
As the former Air Force Chief of Staff, Brown initiated a strategy to enhance the U.S.’s deterrence capabilities against China, known as “agile combat employment.” This effort helped secure contingency access rights to about 10 additional bases in the Pacific, including several in the Philippines.
To further bolster the U.S.’s defense against China, Brown, alongside Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall and Congress, has overseen increases in the purchase of antiship missiles and precision ordnance over the past five years. Trump’s administration also contributed to this effort.
Brown has been a strong advocate for improving satellite technology, partnering with the Space Force (a legacy of Trump’s presidency) to create more resilient satellite constellations, featuring smaller but more numerous satellites than the U.S. traditionally deployed.
Under his leadership, Brown and other service chiefs helped reverse a downturn in military recruitment, particularly within the Army, in 2022 and 2023. The armed forces met their recruitment goals for 2024, and retention rates have remained strong, contradicting claims that a “woke” military culture is driving away recruits with more traditional values.
Brown also played a key role in the selection of Admiral Samuel Paparo to lead Indo-Pacific Command, a move that reflects his support for promoting top-tier military talent.
While both Brown and Milley, with whom Trump had disagreements, are highly respected, Brown’s more reserved nature may better align with the incoming administration’s preferences regarding style and personality. Brown has been a proponent of the national security priorities that Trump championed during his first term and will likely emphasize in his second.
He is a dedicated and honorable officer who values merit over race, gender, or culture, and he understands the essential principles of civilian-military relations in the Constitution. Trump was the one who promoted Brown to the Joint Chiefs of Staff five years ago, and he should continue to support him now.
