Trump’s Army secretary hunt takes shape as insiders float potential picks

The hunt is on for the next Secretary of the Army after Dan Driscoll submitted his resignation to the White House, opening a key leadership vacancy atop the nation’s largest military branch.

Driscoll said Wednesday will be his "last full day" serving as Army secretary, adding that serving in the role under President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has been "the honor of a lifetime." The next Army secretary will inherit a service undergoing a major transformation, with questions over readiness and the Army’s role as the conflict with Iran continues.

ARMY CUTS HELICOPTERS, PUSHES ‘AMAZON FOR WAR’ AS DRONE COMBAT RESHAPES MILITARY Army Undersecretary Mike Obadal could serve as acting secretary once Driscoll’s departure is finalized.

A former special operations officer and defense industry executive, Obadal has also taken on a more public-facing role, including speaking at conferences.

In the Trump administration, deputy officials have repeatedly stepped into top leadership roles after resignations or firings— including then-Navy Under Secretary Hung Cao becoming acting Navy secretary after John Phelan’s departure this year.

Sean Parnell, the Pentagon’s chief spokesman and a senior adviser to Hegseth, has emerged as one potential candidate, according to sources.

PENTAGON FIRES BACK AFTER MARK KELLY ACCUSES PETE HEGSETH OF TARGETING WOMEN AND BLACK MILITARY OFFICERS "A lot of people inside [Office of the Secretary of War] want to see Sean Parnell become the next Secretary of the Army because they’ve worked alongside him and know what he brings to the table," a senior administration official told Fox News Digital.

Parnell, who serves as Assistant to the Secretary of War for Public Affairs, is a former United States Army captain whose platoon killed over 350 enemy fighters at the height of the Afghan War .

He unsuccessfully ran for the House in 2020 before launching a 2021 campaign for Pennsylvania’s open Senate seat, earning Trump’s endorsement.

He later suspended his campaign amid domestic abuse allegations from his ex-wife, Laurie Snell, which he denied.

HEGSETH TURNS TABLES ON DEMS AS SPARKS FLY DURING HEARING CLASH: 'I PUT THIS ON YOU' The senior administration official said Parnell understands the Pentagon and the problems inside from military experience paired with his work at the highest levels of the institution.

"He also understands the importance of working alongside General LeNeve, who has been carrying an enormous load to keep the Army moving, and giving the Army Staff the leadership and support they need to get it back on track," the official said, referring to the acting Army chief of staff.