Dan Driscoll - U.S. Secretary of the Army

Shawn Ryan Show

Daniel P. Driscoll is the 26th Secretary of the Army, sworn in on February 25th, 2025, following his nomination by President Donald J. Trump and confirmation by the United States Senate. As Secretary of the Army, he oversees operations, modernization, and resource allocation for nearly one million Active, Guard, and Reserve Soldiers and more than 265,000 Army Civilians. A former Army officer and business leader, Secretary Driscoll brings experience spanning military service, law, and the private sector.

Secretary Driscoll was commissioned in 2007 as an Armor Officer through the U.S. Army Officer Candidate School. While on active duty, he led a cavalry platoon in the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, New York, and deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2009. His military awards include the Army Commendation Medal, Ranger Tab, and Combat Action Badge.

After departing active duty, Secretary Driscoll attended Yale Law School and worked in Yale’s Veterans Legal Services Clinic. He has held leadership roles in investment banking, private equity, and business operations, including as Chief Operating Officer of a $200 million venture capital fund. Secretary Driscoll holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Juris Doctor from Yale Law School. He is a member of the North Carolina State Bar, the Rotary Club, VFW Post 1134, and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.

A native of Boone, North Carolina, Secretary Driscoll comes from a family with a legacy of military service. His grandfather served in the Army during World War II as a decoder, and his father served during Vietnam as an infantryman. He is married to his high-school sweetheart, and they have two children.

Dan Driscoll Links: X - https://x.com/SecArmy U.S. Army Bio - https://www.army.mil/l...

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:31 Dan Driscoll’s Background and Military Career
01:36 The Baptist Preacher & Jihadist Analogy
02:39 Audience Gifts and Questions
03:21 ATF, Gun Regulation, and the Second Amendment
15:09 National Guard Efforts to Combat Violent Crime
34:39 Personal History and Family Roots
37:23 Memorable Army Training Moments
39:34 Deployment to Iraq and Operational Frustration
42:24 Innovating Within the Army
44:49 Path to Becoming Secretary of the Army
52:42 Revolutionizing Gear and Equipment
01:06:01 Defense Contractors: Challenges and Reform
01:12:11 Right to Repair in the Military
01:14:04 Modern Manufacturing and Supply Chains
01:15:19 Empowering Soldier Innovation
01:19:54 Leading Through Military Culture Shifts
01:31:28 Recruitment, Retention, and Gen Z Engagement
01:39:02 Evolving Warfare: Tech and Strategy
01:49:43 Drones, AI, and Global Security Risks
01:54:23 Rebranding and Rethinking National Defense
02:00:56 China, Global Tensions, and Strategic Readiness
02:21:13 Israel, the Middle East, and U.S. Involvement
02:25:54 Future of Defense Innovation
02:31:25 Final Reflections and Closing Thoughts

https://youtu.be/8TdYR9sfRIw?si=hi7znSNPgFfKA1mx