- When formally nominated, the two top positions in the U.S. military will be held by African-Americans with General Austin already serving as Secretary of Defence
President Biden is expected to tap General Charles Q. Brown, the head of the Air Force, to serve as the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, according to media reports.
The U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is the nation’s highest-ranking military officer and the principal military advisor to the President, Secretary of Defence and National Security Council.
When officially nominated by Biden and approved by the Senate, Brown would be the second Black Joint Chiefs chairman, after the late Colin Powell. It would also represent the first time in U.S. history that the Pentagon’s top two leadership positions would be held by Black men, according to The New York Times.
Brown would replace outgoing Gen. Mark Milley, whose term as chairman is set to expire at the end of September.
The expected nomination was first reported by Politico on Thursday.
“When President Biden makes a final decision, he will inform the person selected and then announce it publicly,” a National Security Council spokesperson said in a statement to Politico. “That hasn’t happened yet.”
Two sources confirmed to Defense News that President Joe Biden has chosen Brown to succeed Army Gen. Mark Milley as the nation’s top military officer.
On May 4, Politico, the New York Times and others reported Biden had selected Brown over Marine Corps Commandant Gen. David Berger for the top job, but several outlets added it was unclear when the president would announce the pick.
Brown’s experience in the Pacific and the Middle East made him an early favorite for the position, according to Politico. He led the U.S. Air Forces Central Command in the Middle East and most recently served as chief of the Pacific Air Forces.