General Charles Q. Brown, Jr. (Retired)

Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

General CQ Brown, Jr. served as the 21st Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff—the nation’s highest-ranking military officer and principal military advisor to the President, Secretary of Defense, and National Security Council. He retired from the U.S. Air Force after nearly 40 years of dedicated service, having previously served as the 22nd Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force and becoming the first African American service chief in U.S. military history.

General Brown earned his commission in 1984 as a distinguished graduate of the ROTC program at Texas Tech University with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. Originally planning a career as an Air Force engineer, a T-37 incentive flight inspired him to become a pilot. Over the course of his career, he became a command pilot, accumulating over 3,100 flying hours. He holds a master’s degree in aeronautical science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Fighter Weapons School, a distinguished graduate from Air Command and Staff College, a graduate of the Air War College, and served as a National Defense Fellow at the Institute for Defense Analyses.

General Brown led and deployed in support of multiple operations, commanding at every level, including a fighter squadron, the U.S. Air Force Weapons School, and two fighter wings. As Deputy Commander of U.S. Central Command and a two-time Air Component Commander at U.S. Air Forces Central Command and Pacific Air Forces, he gained extensive experience in coalition airpower and global joint operations. As Chief of Staff, he focused on preparing the Air Force for future conflict through his strategic approach, “Accelerate Change or Lose.” He also codified doctrine to empower Air Force personnel through mission command and advanced allied and partner interoperability under the concept “Integrated by Design.”

As Chairman, General Brown championed bold thinking to modernize the force and led with new concepts and approaches to counter emerging threats. He stressed that trust remains the foundation of the military profession both within the ranks and with the American people. Under his leadership, the Joint Staff focused on balancing risk, aligning strategic processes, and advancing Joint Force design and development to meet the demands of an evolving global security environment.

Throughout his career, General Brown’s family has been a constant source of strength. He considers his roles as a husband, father, son, and brother among his most cherished. Inspired by the Tuskegee Airmen and named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People, General Brown remains committed to using his experience to make a difference and inspire the next generation.