President Trump selects Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan “Razin'” Caine as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, introducing a non-traditional military leader with extensive combat experience and National Guard credentials to America’s highest military position.
Key Insights
- Caine is the first career Air National Guard officer nominated for Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, bringing a unique perspective from both military and private sector experience.
- With over 2,800 flight hours and 100+ combat hours in F-16 aircraft, Caine played significant roles in Operation Iraqi Freedom and the fight against ISIS.
- As a three-star general, Caine would require a congressional waiver to serve in the position traditionally held by four-star generals.
- His nomination represents President Trump’s focus on building a lethal fighting force while moving away from diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
- Some former defense officials have raised concerns about Caine’s business ties to the Trump family through venture capital firms.
A Distinguished Military Career
Lt. Gen. Dan “Razin'” Caine brings a wealth of military experience to his nomination as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. First commissioned in 1990, Caine served with the 174th Attack Wing at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base in Syracuse, New York. Throughout his career, he has accumulated an impressive 2,800 flight hours, including over 100 combat hours in F-16 aircraft. His service record includes crucial roles in Operation Iraqi Freedom, particularly in missions targeting SCUD missile sites.
Caine’s military accomplishments have earned him numerous prestigious awards, including the Defense Superior Service Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster, and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. His expertise in fighter jet operations and tactical planning has made him a respected figure among military personnel, particularly for his work in complex combat missions.
BREAKING: A mass purge is underway at the Pentagon with President Trump firing the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Charles "CQ" Brown, and Secretary Hegseth firing several other high-ranking officials at the DOD.
President Trump has announced that Lieutenant General… pic.twitter.com/K5d3TY5FJh
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An Unconventional Path to Leadership
Unlike previous Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Caine’s background in the Air National Guard represents a departure from tradition. If confirmed, he would become the first career Air National Guard officer to hold America’s highest military position. As a three-star general, Caine would also require a congressional waiver, as the position is typically filled by four-star generals. This unconventional background is viewed by supporters as bringing valuable perspective from both military and civilian sectors.
“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., speaking about Caine’s technical expertise.
“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,” said Ret. Col. Gary Atkin.
Beyond his fighter pilot credentials, Caine has served in several high-level positions, including as deputy commanding general of the U.S. Central Command Special Operations Component and director of Military Affairs at the CIA. These roles have given him unique insights into special operations and intelligence matters that are increasingly important in modern warfare. His experience working with special forces units has earned him praise for building effective relationships across military branches.
Trump’s Military Leadership Reset
President Trump’s nomination of Caine comes amid a significant reshuffling of military leadership. The President fired Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, along with Chief of Naval Operations Lisa Franchetti and Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force James Slife. These changes reflect Trump’s determination to move the military in a new direction, focusing on combat readiness while reducing emphasis on diversity initiatives that characterized the previous administration.
“General ‘Razin’ Caine was — he’s some general. He’s a real general, not a television general,” Trump has said about his nominee, highlighting the combat experience that drew him to select Caine.
Trump has publicly praised Caine’s contributions to the fight against ISIS, recounting conversations where Caine demonstrated strategic thinking. The President has described Caine as a straightforward advisor who offered clear tactical recommendations during critical operations against ISIS. This relationship appears to be one based on mutual respect, with Trump valuing Caine’s battlefield expertise and direct communication style.
Challenges to Confirmation
Despite his impressive military credentials, Caine’s nomination faces potential obstacles in the Senate confirmation process. Five former defense secretaries have called for congressional hearings and a hold on Caine’s nomination, citing concerns about the unprecedented dismissal of military leaders. Additionally, ethics experts have raised questions about Caine’s business connections to the Trump family through venture capital firms, including Thrive Capital, which is run by Joshua Kushner, brother of Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
These business ties have prompted discussions about potential conflicts of interest, particularly regarding military contracts. However, supporters argue that Caine’s experience in both sectors enhances his understanding of defense procurement and technology integration. The Senate will need to evaluate these concerns during the confirmation process, weighing them against Caine’s military qualifications and the President’s prerogative to select his military advisors.
