MARCH 3, 2025 – Last week, I was sworn in as your 26th Secretary of the United States Army.
My commitment to this role is rooted in my family’s lineage of Army service. My grandfather served during World War II as a decoder. My father served during Vietnam as an infantryman. And I fought as a cavalry scout in Iraq.
From the frostbitten morning PT at Fort Drum to the grueling mountain patrols in Dahlonega to the unforgiving heat of Baghdad, I have stood shoulder to shoulder with the finest men and women America has to offer. I will never forget the lessons we learned together. And as we move forward, I make this promise to you: The American Soldier will always be my mission and I will be the Soldier’s Secretary of the Army.
Recent years have brought challenges and hardships, testing you in new and difficult ways. You have endured unacceptable housing conditions, a broken procurement system plagued by flawed industrial partnerships, and readiness strains that threaten our ability to counter emerging threats. Yet, through it all, you have carried the weight of service with resilience and determination. You have held the line.
We will not dwell on the past. Instead, we will move toward the sound of the guns. Make no mistake — our nation faces global threats that demand us to take a more aggressive footing and re-establish deterrence.
First, we must revitalize the nation’s pride in her Army. The Army is the heart of America’s strength, values, and resilience. As we celebrate our 250th birthday this year, we will renew the connection between the Army and the people we serve. This will drive recruiting momentum, fortify public trust, and ensure that we never fail in our commitment to care for our soldiers and their families.
Second, we must reinvigorate our industrial base and revolutionize our procurement processes. We are not ready for large-scale conflict with a peer adversary. But we must be. Together, we will forge stronger partnerships with the defense industry to ensure you have the firepower to dominate our enemies. No contract, company, or bureaucratic obstacle will stand in the way of this goal. The status quo is unacceptable. When our nation calls, we will not send you into a fair fight — we will ensure you have overwhelming superiority.
Finally, we will train as we fight. You are a part of the most lethal land-based fighting force in the history of the world. But administrative burdens and unnecessary distractions have taken you away from what matters most. We will refocus, eliminating distractions and training you to fight and win in the most contested environments. Your country demands no less.
At this moment in world history, our nation requires her Army to move further, faster, and fight harder than any other force on Earth. We will not let our nation down.
As your Secretary, I will honor the Army’s 250-year legacy of service and strength while preparing us for the future. I will stay focused on my mission and shoulder my share of the task, and I know that you will do the same.
It is good to be back home.
By Sec. Dan Driscoll