Meet Lieutenant General Dan Caine, the Air National Guard official under consideration for the position of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Retired Lt. Gen. John Daniel Caine, President Donald Trump's nominee to succeed Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is set to make history as the first Air National Guardsman to ascend to the nation's highest uniformed role, albeit with some unconventional qualifications.
As per the Goldwater-Nichols Act of 1986, the Chairman must traditionally be a four-star general or admiral selected from among the Vice Chairman, the service chiefs, or the Combatant Commanders. However, the law also allows the President to grant a waiver if deemed necessary in the national interest.
Caine, 56, is a retired general who has not held a four-star rank, and his Air National Guard background represents a departure from the typical pool of candidates. Nevertheless, it is likely that the Senate will approve his nomination, making him the 22nd Chairman of the Joint Chiefs.
The Goldwater-Nichols Act established several criteria for the Chairman's selection, including flag officer status, career field, joint experience, and a four-year minimum service term. While the law allows for a presidential waiver, such exceptions are rare.
Caine's impressive military career has encompassed a wide range of experiences. In 1990, he commissioned through the AFROTC and was selected for the Euro-NATO undergraduate pilot training program. Despite concerns about becoming a "banked pilot," he joined the 174th Fighter Wing in Syracuse, NY, and later served with the D.C. Air Guard. He saw combat duty in operations Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom, and played a significant role in the Scud Hunt operation in Iraq.
Caine also served as a White House fellow with the Department of Agriculture and worked on the government response to Hurricane Katrina. He held the position of Policy Director for Counterterrorism on the White House Homeland Security Council, commanded a Joint Special Operations Task Force in Iraq, and served in Special Operations Command in various roles.
The former member of the Senate Armed Services Committee staff expects Caine to receive approval from lawmakers. He noted the pattern of the President being awarded his chosen military advisor.
Privately, Caine is known for his pragmatic and occasionally stern leadership style, maintaining high standards among troops and displaying an uncanny ability to navigate complex tasks. Some view his nontraditional career as an advantage, as it has afforded him a strong appreciation for all service contributions.
It was during Operation Inherent Resolve in 2018 that Trump and Caine first met. Trump was impressed by Caine's belief in swiftly resolving the conflict with less restraint in air attacks. Caine's career culminated in highly secretive roles, including Director of Special Programs at the Pentagon's Special Access Programs Office and Pentagon liaison to the CIA.
Post-retirement, Caine has engaged in entrepreneurial ventures, co-founding a regional airline and joining Shield Capital, a firm specializing in cybersecurity. Air Force personnel who have served under Caine describe him as thoughtful and politically neutral, qualities that some believe will serve him well in his potential new role.
- Given the Goldwater-Nichols Act's traditional requirements, Caine's nomination as the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff marks a departure, as he is a retired general without a four-star rank and has an Air National Guard background.
- Despite the departure from convention, it is likely that Caine's nomination will be approved by the Senate, making him the 22nd Chairman of the Joint Chiefs.
- Caine's military career is marked by a wide range of experiences, including combat duty in multiple operations such as Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom.
- Beyond his military service, Caine has also worked in government, serving as a White House fellow with the Department of Agriculture and playing a significant role in the government response to Hurricane Katrina.
- Post-retirement, Caine has ventured into business, co-founding a regional airline and joining Shield Capital, a cybersecurity firm.
- Some believe that Caine's nontraditional career, including his experience in business and politics, will serve him well in his potential new role as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
