Dan Caine

Dan Caine, born on August 10, 1968, is a distinguished American general and venture capitalist who made history as the 22nd chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 2025. His military career began after graduating from the Virginia Military Institute's Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps in 1990, where he honed his skills as an F-16 pilot. Over the years, Caine accumulated an impressive two thousand eight hundred flight hours and completed two tours in Iraq, showcasing his dedication and expertise in the field.

Before his appointment as chairman, Caine held several significant positions within the military. He served as the assistant commanding general of Joint Special Operations Command from 2016 to 2018, followed by a role as the deputy commanding general for the Operation Inherent Resolve special operations task force from 2018 to 2019. His leadership continued as he became the director of special-access programs in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment from 2019 to 2021, a position that further solidified his reputation in military operations.

In 2021, Caine transitioned to the Central Intelligence Agency, where he served as the associate director for military affairs until 2024. His extensive experience and strategic insight led to his nomination by President Donald Trump in February 2025 as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a role for which he was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in April. Notably, Caine is the first individual to hold this position without previously serving at the rank of four-star general or admiral, and he is also the first to be nominated while in retirement.