Travis Armstrong, Pd.D
During the height of the pandemic in 2020 and the racial reckoning it ignited, President Trump nominated General Charles Q Brown Jr., as the Chief of Staff of the Air Force. Brown became the first Black Chief of Staff in the history of the armed forces. Brown was commissioned in 1994 upon graduation from the Texas Tech ROTC program. He has held numerous positions at the squadron and wing levels. As a commander his positions have included, Director, Secretary of the Air Force and Chief of Staff of the Executive Action Group and Deputy Commander, U.S. Central Command.
Brown’s ascendancy to the top post not only recognized his hard work and dedication, but the service of countless Black military persons. In General Brown’s case, he recognized the import of his history-making nomination in his impassioned remarks on the murder of George Floyd. He expressed sensitivity and an understanding of the gravity of the time while speaking as an officer, father and citizen.
The importance of Brown’s achievements have special significance to me. During my own 23-year military service career in the United States Air Force, I had the honor of being commanded by an African American officer, the late Major General (Maj. Gen.) Alfred J. Stewart at the Air Force Personnel Center in San Antonio, Texas. I remember vividly and fondly the many briefings where Maj. Gen. Stewart often talked about growing up poor in Baltimore, graduating from the Air Force Academy, and his rise through the ranks as an Air Force pilot when he was often the only Black pilot in his unit. I admired him because I never witnessed a Black man with that much power and influence. He seemed to glow in his blue uniform with two silver stars on his lapel. He exuded confidence and a deep appreciation for his position. As a retired Black flag officer, he served as my role model.
President Biden’s recent nomination of General Brown to replace outgoing General Mark Milley as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff elevates him to a higher level. It is also reflective of his effectiveness as a military leader. Interestingly, in his speech at the White House, President Biden called General Brown a “warrior” who has “descended from a proud line of warriors.” Brown’s father served in the army for 30 years raising to the rank of colonel. His paternal grandfather was drafted and served in World War II in the Pacific Theater. Somehow, I don’t believe the President understood the full gravity of that statement. Brown’s warrior spirit is not only embodied in his own family but in the service of countless African American servicepersons who have bravely served the country from its inception. I do not doubt that General Brown understands his place in history, one of struggle, bravery, and above all perseverance. General Brown explained during his acceptance speech that “I felt pressure to perform error-free…especially for supervisors I perceived had expected less of me as an African American.” General Brown will soon ascend to his rightful place in not just U.S. military history but American history. When confirmed, Brown will be the second African American to hold that position, the first being the late General Colin Powell.
Dr. Travis Armstrong is the community outreach coordinator of the Foot Soldier’s Journey organization led by his cousin, Thomas Armstrong, who is an original Mississippi Freedom Rider of 1961. The organization’s purpose is to provide civic education and engagement to educate organizations about the lessons of the civil rights movement era and to inform on the contemporary civil rights issues of today. Dr. Armstrong also serves on several committees including the Mississippi Department of Archives and History and the Prentiss (MS) Normal and Industrial Institute Partnership Team. Armstrong retired from the United States Air Force in 2014 after 23 years of active duty service and served in Operations Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and in Europe, Asia, and the continental United States. He specialized in combat troop deployment services and designed, produced, and implemented instructional development programs for the Air Force Human Resources career field, serving over 44,000 personnel.
Previously Published on Historian Speaks
on Wikimedia under CC License
