Who is Charles Q Brown? Senate confirms Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff amid Tommy Tuberville's obstruction
WASHINGTON, DC: Charles Q Brown aka CQ, has added another remarkable chapter to his already historic career by becoming the country's next most senior-ranking military officer after he was confirmed as the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Wednesday, September 20, as per CNN.
Brown's journey has been marked by groundbreaking achievements and an unwavering commitment to service. In 2020, he made history as the first Black service chief of the US military.
Charles Q Brown named Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Charles Q Brown reached another pinnacle in his career after being confirmed as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In this role, he will serve as the principal military adviser to President Joe Biden, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, and the National Security Council.
The confirmation not only cements his status as a trailblazer but also marks a significant moment in American military leadership. He is only the second Black person to serve as chairman, following in the footsteps of General Colin Powell.
Moreover, Brown's confirmation is emblematic of a broader shift in the Defense Department's leadership as it is the first time in history that both the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs are African American.
President Biden nominated Charles Q Brown for this esteemed position in May, praising him as "a warrior," a "fearless leader," and an "unyielding patriot," according to CNN.
However, significant challenges were faced during a months-long blockade on Pentagon nominations in the Senate, led by Alabama Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville.
Despite these obstacles, the Senate ultimately voted 83-11 to confirm Brown's nomination, showcasing widespread bipartisan support for his appointment.
Charles Q Brown's stellar career
Charles Q Brown's journey in the military began in 1984 when he was commissioned through the ROTC Program at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas.
Over the years, he has held a series of crucial leadership positions, including commanding a fighter squadron, two fighter wings, US Air Forces Central Command, and the US Air Force Weapons School.
Before becoming the Air Force Chief of Staff, Brown served as the commander of Pacific Air Forces, which is the air component of the US Indo-Pacific Command.
During this time, he made headlines for releasing a deeply personal video in response to the 2020 police killing of George Floyd.
In the video, he candidly expressed his emotions and experiences, highlighting the challenges he faced as one of the few Black individuals in various settings throughout his career.
"I’m thinking about the pressure I felt to perform error-free, especially for supervisors I perceived had expected less of me as an African American. I’m thinking about having to represent by working twice as hard to prove their expectations and perceptions of African Americans were invalid," said Brown.
He added, "I’m thinking about how I can make improvements personally, professionally, and institutionally, so that all Airmen, both today and tomorrow, appreciate the value of diversity and can serve in an environment where they can reach their full potential."
Senator Tommy Tuberville's obstruction delayed Charles Q Brown's confirmation
Charles Q Brown's confirmation was temporarily delayed when Senator Tommy Tuberville objected to confirming military nominees as a group.
His move was tied to the Pentagon's policy of providing a travel allowance for troops and their families who needed to travel for abortion services due to state laws where they were stationed.
Senator Tuberville proposed that each military nominee, including Brown, be brought to the Senate floor individually, a process that could have taken hundreds of hours. Ultimately, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer agreed to Tuberville's demand, allowing separate votes on military promotions.
This paved the way for Brown's confirmation and signaled the Senate's recognition of his exceptional qualifications and contributions to the military.
In the coming weeks, the Senate is expected to vote on the confirmation of Gen Eric Smith as the commandant of the Marine Corps and Gen Randy George as the Army chief of staff, according to CNN.