Skyler Bernards
Gen. Charles Brown Jr. is the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He serves as the top military advisor to the President by gathering opinions from other senior military leaders and sharing these views with the President.
Charles Brown Jr. was recognized with a 2024 Wash100 award for his efforts in strengthening national security. Get to know more about his background and contributions here.
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Who is Charles Brown Jr.?
Charles Quinton Brown Jr. is a high-ranking military officer in the U.S. Air Force. President Biden announced his nomination to become the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in April 2023. He officially assumed the position in October 2023, making him the second Black person to hold this position.
Charles Brown joined the military in 1984, accumulating over 3,000 flight hours for fighter jets—130 of which are in combat. He commanded various Air Force units, including the Pacific Air Forces and the U.S. Air Forces Central Command.
Brown has a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from Texas Tech University and a Master’s Degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He also completed advanced military education and served as a National Defense Fellow at the Institute for Defense Analyses.
Charles Brown Jr. is a Wash100 Award Winner in 2024
General Charles Q. Brown Jr. was honored with the Wash100 Award for his significant contributions to U.S. national security. This marks his first time receiving this award—a celebration of his nearly four decades of dedicated service in defense.
General Brown’s main objectives include enhancing warfighting capabilities, encouraging cooperation across different defense areas, and strengthening partnerships with allies. He strongly advocates the Air Force’s strategy, “Accelerate Change or Lose,” which focuses on modernization and adoption of innovative approaches.
This strategy highlights the need to maintain its competitive edge against adversaries in air power generation, acquisitions, fielding systems, sustainment, and operations.
How Charles Brown Jr.’s Leadership Impacted the U.S. Air Force
During his time as the leader of the Air Force and top advisor for the military, General Brown led the Air Force in dealing with new global security challenges. Here’s how he made a difference.
Jointness and Collaboration
Charles Brown recognized the importance of working together and cooperating with different military branches. His idea of a future force that’s “Integrated by Design” emphasized the need for smooth cooperation with allies and partners.
This idea involved working closely with allies and partners to plan and develop military capabilities. This way of working was crucial for staying ahead strategically and ensuring security.
Read more: Who Are the US Allies: A Comprehensive Guide to America’s Key International Partnerships
Technological Advancements and Modernization
General Brown led the Air Force’s drive for modernization and cutting-edge technological progress. This commitment was reflected in substantial investments in cyber defense, space assets, and unmanned systems.
He strongly advocated for the Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS), a key part of the Pentagon’s Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) initiative. His efforts were geared toward bolstering the Air Force’s technological prowess in deterring adversaries.
Supportive Culture
The Air Force initiative, led by General Brown, provided a supportive environment for Airmen and Guardians coping with invisible wounds. This initiative was committed to the welfare of personnel, demonstrating the Air Force’s dedication to maintaining high morale and readiness levels among its ranks.
