Dan Caine was unexpectedly nominated by President Donald Trump to become the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff following their first meeting in Iraq in 2018. Trump has expressed his admiration for Caine, praising his military experience and referring to him as a “real general”. If approved by the Senate, Caine will lead the U.S. military during a time of change and will inherit a Joint Staff that was rattled by Trump’s surprise firing of the previous chairman.
Caine, a retired F-16 pilot, will need to undergo a Senate confirmation process before taking over as the nation’s top military adviser. Prior to his nomination, Caine had ventured into the investment field by joining a venture capital firm and working with other investment firms. His military career deviates from the traditional path to becoming the chairman as he did not rise to high ranks before retirement and was allegedly passed over for promotions in the past.
Having graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 1990, Caine followed in his father’s footsteps to become a fighter pilot. He played a vital role in protecting Washington during the September 11 attacks by being prepared to shoot down a hijacked plane if necessary. Throughout his career, Caine held various positions in Washington and was associated with multiple government agencies before his retirement in late 2021.
One of Caine’s main priorities will be to remain apolitical and ensure the military stays independent of partisan influences. Late General C.Q. Brown’s sudden firing raised concerns about military officials’ loyalty to the Constitution. Those who have worked closely with Caine describe him as mission-focused and non-political, emphasizing his commitment to the troops and the country above all other priorities.
Caine’s ability to keep politics out of the military may be challenged by Trump, who has previously dragged the military into partisan issues. In a recounting of their first meeting, Trump shared an incident where service members put on “Make America Great Again” hats in Caine’s presence, violating military regulations. It remains to be seen how Caine will navigate these challenges and uphold the integrity of the U.S. military during his tenure as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
