Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Nominee Testifies Before Senate Committee

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WASHINGTON, D.C. - Members of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) held a hearing today to consider the nomination of Lieutenant General Dan "Razin" Caine to be the 22nd Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Lt. Gen. Caine has played a key role in overseeing classified military programs. He served as Director of Special Programs in the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) Special Access Program Central Office, where he advised the Secretary of Defense on highly sensitive projects. Lt. Gen. Caine also served as Associate Director for Military Affairs at the Central Intelligence Agency, acting as the principal military advisor to the agency.

If confirmed, Lt. Gen. Caine would serve as the highest-ranking and most senior military officer in the United States Armed Forces.

"Thank you, Lieutenant General, for your service and your willingness to step back into the gap," said U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND). "While I agree the dismissal of your predecessor was unfortunate, it's behind us, and I cannot think of a better person to replace General Brown than you. […] I look forward to supporting you strongly."

Cramer said Lt. Gen. Caine's opening statement mentioned many things members of SASC commonly hear from witnesses, particularly his remarks in support of SASC Chairman Roger Wicker's (R-MS) defense acquisition reform legislation. However, Cramer explained, people's opinions often change once the status quo is disrupted by the very thing they claim to support. Cramer acknowledged Lt. Gen. Caine's unconventional background creates an opportunity for him to be a disruptor.

"We're dealing with the situation right now with perhaps the most disruptive innovator becoming the first director of the most disruptive innovative agency, the Space Development Agency," said Cramer. "He has been on leave for three months during a witch hunt. This began on the last day of the last administration. All the while, satellites don't go up. All the while, China goes at the speed of China."

Cramer said he believes there is a cultural challenge in the Pentagon, and there's work to be done by Congress and the administration. He asked Lt. Gen. Caine to elaborate on how he can truly make a difference to protect the innovators and disruptors in the defense ecosystem.

"You're hitting on an area that is a point of passion for me," responded Lt. Gen. Caine. "We have to stop admiring the problem, and we have to start executing. I do think your point about culture is where it all starts. I think we have to take an ownership and an entrepreneurial mindset to all of these reforms that are in front of us, and we can't do this alone. We have to do it with you here in the Congress in order to actually make these changes."

"I'm encouraged by the leaders who are coming into the department, who have deep, substantive business background that are not known as people who admire problems," continued Lt. Gen. Caine. "And so, if confirmed, I look forward to working with the various leaders in order to actually move the ball, and of course, working with the Congress to execute these things without continuing to admire these challenges in front of us."

Cramer said almost every Combatant Commander he speaks with tells him they do not have access to enough intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, and the "Air Force specifically has been on a mission to eliminate ISR as one of its key missions." Cramer asked Lt. Gen. Caine to expound on ISR and where he sees it advancing.

"ISR and the ability to have indications and warnings to make decisions for commanders who hold risk is a key and essential part of our overall ability to execute the missions that we must do," said Lt. Gen. Caine.

"And I think the Air Force should keep it as a mission," concluded Cramer.