Army Secretary Dan Driscoll to Step Down After Pushing Modernization

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, a Iraq War veteran and drone modernization advocate who helped push rapid capability development and even served as a negotiator on Russia-Ukraine issues, is stepping down. He was confirmed in February 2025 and faced a Pentagon environment of leadership changes, including Navy Secretary John Phelan’s departure earlier. His tenure focused on modernizing the Army, improving recruitment, and strengthening the military industrial base, with a emphasis on cutting red tape for contractors. His exit comes amid broader leadership shakeups at the Pentagon.