President-election Donald Trump announced Wednesday that Daniel P. Driscoll of Boone, North Carolina has been appointed as the United States’ next Secretary of the Army. Driscoll served in the US Army from 2009 to 2011, served in Iraq, and was a first lieutenant before leaving the Army and working in investment banking.
“As a former Soldier, Investor, and Political Advisor, Dan brings a powerful combination of experiences to serve as a disruptor and change agent,” said Trump in the press release announcing Driscoll’s appointment.
Driscoll has deep ties to North Carolina, which is home to ten military installations, including Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg), one of the largest military installations in the world. He graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill, and went to Yale Law School. More recently he’s worked in venture capital and private equity, and most recently has been serving as senior advisor to Vice President-Elect JD Vance.
Before joining Vance’s team, an Asheville Citizen Times story reports that in 2020, Driscoll was one of the Republicans who ran for the 11th Congressional District seat vacated by then-Rep. Mark Meadows. Meadows went on to serve as chief of staff in the Trump White House in 2020 and 2021.
Driscoll also completed U.S. Army Ranger school and deployed with the 10th Mountain Division as a Cavalry Scout Platoon Leader in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
“Dan will be a fearless and relentless fighter for America’s Soldiers and the America First agenda,” Trump’s statement read.
Driscoll’s appointment comes as the Army faces complex challenges, including modernizing its capabilities and addressing geopolitical tensions. The military expertise found within North Carolina, and the incoming Trump administration’s focus here, indicates the state’s growing influence on national defense policy.
The Army is the nation’s largest military branch with more than one million soldiers in active-duty service.
I am pleased to nominate Daniel P. Driscoll, from the Great State of North Carolina, to serve as the Secretary of the Army. As a former Soldier, Investor, and Political Advisor, Dan brings a powerful combination of experiences to serve as a disruptor and change agent. Dan…
— Trump Posts on 𝕏 (@trump_repost) December 4, 2024
Editor’s Note: This story has been corrected, reflecting Driscoll’s army rank of first lieutenant.