Prior to Army Secretary Dan Driscoll submitting his resignation Monday, Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell had been suggested by some close to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as a potential replacement for the Senate-confirmed position. The Hill reported last week that Parnell’s name was being floated, citing two unnamed sources familiar with the matter. Asked about the reports, a senior Administration official told TIME: “Sean Parnell is 100% focused on the job he was appointed to by President Trump and Secretary Hegseth.” News of Driscoll’s departure from the role he held for around 18 months came after months of reported tensions with Hegseth and turmoil within the department.
According to the Atlantic, a person familiar with Driscoll’s resignation said he had recently “brought up concerns with the Administration surrounding Army transformation and readiness and Hegseth’s blocking those efforts specifically by firing the generals who were responsible.” White House spokesperson Anna Kelly did not address the tensions and fallout when approached by TIME, but instead emphasized that the United States Army is “more powerful than ever thanks to [Driscoll’s] work alongside the Commander-in-Chief and Secretary of War.” Driscoll’s resignation is the latest in a series of high-profile departures within the Pentagon, following the April ouster of the Army’s top uniformed leader, Gen. Randy George, and the June departure of the lead commander in Europe and Africa, Gen. The Washington Post reported that Hegseth had sought to remove George several times and that Driscoll had previously blocked or delayed those efforts, arguing that George had done nothing wrong and should be judged on merit.
Driscoll openly praised George, referring to him as “an amazing, transformational leader” whom he loved and respected during an April House Appropriations Committee Hearing. Alongside the reported tensions, Hegseth has also come under serious scrutiny for the duration and mounting cost of the Iran war, which surpassed the six-month mark last week. I think he’s all over the place—he’s accelerating the retirement or forcing out some of the most distinguished leaders in the DOD that we have,” Republican Sen.
Thom Tillis of North Carolina said in July. Meanwhile, under Parnell, the Department of Defense has imposed various restrictions limiting journalists’ access in the Pentagon. In an unprecedented move in June, the department designated its press office a classified area.
There’s nothing controversial about that.” Now, with talk turning to who may replace Driscoll in the pivotal role of Army Secretary, Parnell's name continues to be floated. Notably, whoever is selected would need to be confirmed for the position by the Senate. Here’s what to know about Parnell, his military record, past controversies, and more.
Parnell arrived in Afghanistan in 2006 and during his 16-month deployment was awarded two Bronze stars and the Purple Heart. He was deployed alongside his platoon, nicknamed the Outlaws. He returned home with shrapnel in his leg and a brain injury that had left him with vision problems.
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