United States 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.
Earning his commission as a distinguished graduate of the Air Force ROTC program at Texas Tech University, General Brown became a command pilot with over 3,100 flying hours—primarily in the F-16—including 130 combat hours. He commanded at every level and held key leadership roles across the globe.
As Chief of Staff, he was known for his hallmark strategic approach, “Accelerate Change or Lose,” which focused on preparing the Air Force for future conflict. As Chairman, he emphasized warfighting excellence, bold modernization, and trust is the foundation of the military profession. Inspired by the Tuskegee Airmen and named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People, General Brown remains committed to making a positive impact and inspiring the next generation.