Dan Caine: Trump's Unconventional Pick for Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

 Dan Caine: From Fighter Pilot to Trump's Choice for Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Former President Donald Trump has announced his nomination of retired Air Force Lieutenant General Dan "Razin" Caine as the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Caine’s unconventional career path, spanning military leadership, entrepreneurship, and counterterrorism, has set him apart from traditional candidates.

A Memorable First Impression

Trump first encountered General Caine in 2018. According to Trump, Caine boldly claimed the Islamic State could be defeated in just one week, contradicting senior advisors who predicted a two-year timeline. This assertion reportedly impressed Trump, laying the foundation for their connection.

At a 2023 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Trump added more details, claiming Caine wore a "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) hat during a meeting in Iraq—a move that technically violates military guidelines regarding political displays.

A Diverse Career Path

Dan Caine graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 1990 with a degree in economics, later earning a master's degree in air warfare from the American Military University. As an F-16 pilot, he accumulated 150 combat flight hours and took on various special operations and intelligence roles throughout his career.

Caine served as a White House fellow at the Agriculture Department and a counterterrorism specialist on the Homeland Security Council under President George W. Bush. From 2009 to 2016, he was a part-time member of the Air National Guard while pursuing entrepreneurial ventures.

Between 2021 and 2024, he worked as Associate Director for Military Affairs at the CIA, acting as the principal liaison to the Pentagon. During this time, he contributed to several highly classified programs and operations.

September 11, 2001: A Pivotal Moment

Reflecting on the September 11 attacks, General Caine recalled his role as Chief of Weapons and Tactics with the 121st Fighter Squadron at Andrews Air Force Base. He described the moment when fighter jets were scrambled over Washington, D.C.:

"We jumped in the airplanes and started them up. The radios were going ballistic. People on the emergency channels were saying, ‘Anybody around Washington, D.C., will be shot down.’ I realized, ‘That’s me who will be shooting.’"

Caine remained airborne for nearly eight hours that day, armed with a 20-millimeter gun and heat-seeking missiles.

The Road Ahead

Trump’s decision to nominate General Caine follows the dismissal of Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., a four-star fighter pilot. In his Truth Social announcement, Trump praised Caine as an “accomplished pilot, national security expert, successful entrepreneur, and warfighter.”

If confirmed, General Caine’s diverse background and unorthodox rise through the ranks will undoubtedly shape the future of U.S. military leadership.

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By blending military expertise, intelligence experience, and entrepreneurial spirit, Dan Caine represents a new kind of leader for the Joint Chiefs of Staff—one who, according to Trump, doesn’t shy away from bold claims and unconventional strategies.