Texas Tech Alumni Confirmed to High Rank Officer in the Military

A former Red Raider was confirmed for a very high-ranking and prestigious leadership position. Texas Tech Alumni General C.Q. Brown Jr. was nominated Wednesday, September 21, by the U.S. Senate as the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. This position is one of the highest ranking positions within the U.S. Armed Forces that serves as an adviser to the secretary of defense, Homeland Security Council, and the president.

The Air Force website reports that in 1984, at Texas Tech University, Brown was in the Air Force ROTC program where he was commissioned a distinguished graduate before earning his bachelor's degree in civil engineering. Brown then went on assignment with the Air Force as he went on to the U.S. Air Force Weapons School where he was an instructor for F-16 Fighter Falcons.

Not only did Brown serve as an instructor but also held many leadership roles such as commanding a fighter squadron and has 130 hours of combat and 2,900 hours of flying time. General Brown served as the Chief of the U.S. Air Force since 2020 and become the first Black chief of a branch of military and second Black officer since General Colin Powell on the staff of the Joint Chiefs. General Brown will be succeeding Army General Mark Milley whose term expires at the end of the month, September 30. 

Brown was previously named a distinguished alumnus of Texas Tech back in 2012 and was also named as one of TIME magazines' 100 Most Influential People in 2020. Brown has also received a few medals such as the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit and Bronze Star.