As Trump’s inauguration draws closer, more and more of his cabinet is coming together. Now, the U.S. Secretary of the Army has been nominated, and his ties are close to the Vice President-elect. Army Veteran Dan Driscoll, a former classmate of JD Vance, is set to take on the role. Despite his relatively brief experience serving as a Soldier, questions arise surrounding his qualifications to lead our nation’s largest military branch.

Who Is Dan Driscoll?

Daniel P. Driscoll went to Yale where he studied law with fellow classmate and friend JD Vance. In addition to attending law school, Vance’s ally is also a decorated Army Veteran and has experience both as a businessman and in the world of politics.

Between 2009 and 2011, Driscoll was a Cavalry Officer with the 10th Mountain Division, deploying to Iraq and earning accolades like the Combat Action Badge. Dan Driscoll also completed Ranger School.

It was after serving his nation that Driscoll went to Yale, connected with the future Vice President, and would go on to practice law at Guantanamo Bay, as well as interning for the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee and for Chief Judge Alex Kozinski.

Driscoll has a small amount of political experience, as he ran for Congress in 2020 for North Carolina’s 11th District; however, Madison Cawthorn would emerge out of a very crowded Republican primary victorious.

Trump Picks Driscoll for U.S. Secretary of the Army

Although Dan Driscoll’s Congress run didn’t work out, his days as a part of the political world are continuing, ironically, as he will help form policies and shape decisions for our nation’s largest apolitical military branch.

President-elect Donald Trump has picked Driscoll as our nation’s next United States Secretary of the Army, looking to the Veteran for his ability to disrupt the current state of the military.

Driscoll has experience in the Army and a lot more of it in the business world; however, there are more than 1.2 million people involved with the Army including Soldiers and civilians—his lack of experience leading large organizations has come into question since his nomination.

Trump’s pick in Driscoll comes as warfare changes throughout the globe. There is less focus on the Middle East, yet conflicts still exist. Europe has its own war to deal with.

Furthermore, the Indo-Pacific region is of high concern for American defense. China poses potential problems on a number of fronts and the successor of Christine Wormuth, the first woman to serve in the role, will have a lot on their plate.

Dan Driscoll Fits Trump’s Plan for the Military

The GOP has made it no secret that many are unhappy with the state of our nation’s military. Trump is specifically looking to replace leadership positions and has picked surprising nominees to help shape new policies so far.

Whereas recent leaders have more experience at the higher levels of military leadership, some of Trump’s cabinet heads seem more related to his campaign and agenda than the traditional traits you might find in candidates for these roles.

Dan Driscoll fits what the future of military leadership could look like during the Trump administration. However, Driscoll has called for bipartisan collaboration involving matters of national security.

In the past, Driscoll has criticized Republicans wanting to impeach President Joe Biden, pointing out the threat to democracy and voting in doing so.

Trump doesn’t want the same old, same old. He’s looking for fresh perspectives to lead the military. Driscoll is a prime example.

If confirmed by the Senate, Dan Driscoll will face the challenge of balancing reform with stability in one of the nation's most complex organizations all while facing a number of complicated geopolitical situations affecting our national security policy.

Suggested reads:

• Historic Milestone: Congress to Open Session with 100 Veteran Lawmakers, the Most in a Decade
• The VA Disability Pay Rates for 2025 Are Now in Effect
• Trump’s Cabinet Heads: Meet the Leaders Shaping Our Government

Image Source: Dan Driscoll for Congress | Facebook