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Brown Calls for Togetherness, Collaboration Between DOD and Industry

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., called for increased togetherness and collaboration between the Defense Department and the defense industrial base during an award acceptance speech Wednesday evening. 

A man in a flight suit walks next to another man inside the hangar bay of an aircraft carrier. In the background are three men in coveralls and a forklift.
Roosevelt Visit
Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, visits the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt , Dec. 3, 2023. The Roosevelt is completing its composite training unit exercise, which is the final work-up phase and certification event before a scheduled deployment.
Credit: Navy Chief Petty Officer James Mullen, DOD
VIRIN: 231203-D-ON707-1634A

Brown made his remarks after accepting the Dwight D. Eisenhower Award from the National Defense Industrial Association on behalf of DOD’s 2.1 million service members at a dinner held near the Pentagon.  

"When it comes to the DOD and our defense industry partners, the only way to ensure our national security is to work together," said Brown, who added that he sees collaboration as the "pathway to success."  

"As I like to say, success takes help; failure you can do alone," he said. 

In discussing the keys to achieve collaboration among defense stakeholders, Brown stressed it’s important to "communicate our priorities and align our equities."

five-sided building is photographed from above.
Pentagon View
An aerial view of the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., May 15, 2023.
Credit: Air Force Staff Sgt. John Wright
VIRIN: 230515-D-KY598-1309C

"Together, we need to be willing to put all the cards on the table — the good, the bad, the ugly — so we can work together on solutions," Brown said. "We need to discuss not what’s best for one service [or] what’s best for one company, but what’s best for the joint force, what is best for multiple companies, [and], most importantly, what’s best for our national security."

Brown emphasized that, despite industry and the military having slightly different needs— with the former being focused on building quality products and turning a profit and the latter focused on modernizing and remaining the most respected combat-capable force in the world — both entities need to be focused on contributing to national security together.   

Brown also spoke of the travel he’s been doing across the U.S. since becoming chairman. 

A man in uniform shakes hands with a soldier. A jet airplane with the stairway down is behind them.
Shaw Arrival
Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; his wife Sharene Brown; Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman Troy E. Black; and Black’s wife Stacie Black are greeted after arriving at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Feb. 9, 2024.
Credit: Benjamin D. Applebaum, DOD
VIRIN: 240902-D-LS763-1027C

"Across our country, there are many patriotic Americans, in uniform and in industry, working every day to help keep our nation safe," he said.  

"And I believe, more than ever, we all have a role to play."

NDIA and its predecessor organizations have given annual awards since 1979. The Dwight D. Eisenhower Award is the organization’s most prestigious award. It is "bestowed annually on an individual who best reflects President Eisenhower’s beliefs and support for a strong national security and industrial base," according to NDIA’s website. 

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