Jack Keane - Life and Career

Life and Career

Keane attended Fordham University, where he participated in The National Society of Pershing Rifles, graduating with a bachelor's degree in accounting in 1966. He then attended Western Kentucky University, graduating with a master's degree in philosophy. He then attended the Command and General Staff College and the Army War College .

Keane served in the Vietnam War as a paratrooper. He later served in U.S. engagements in Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia and Kosovo. His commands include the 1st Brigade,10th Mountain Division, 101st Airborne Division and the XVIII Airborne Corps.

Keane retired from military service in 2003. He is also a national security analyst for Fox News. He has served an advisory role in the management of the U.S. occupation of Iraq, as a member of the Defense Policy Board Advisory Committee. In January 2007, Keane and scholar Frederick W. Kagan released a policy paper, entitled "Choosing Victory: A Plan for Success in Iraq", through the American Enterprise Institute that called for bringing security by putting around 30,000 additional American troops there for a period of at least 18 months. In part convinced by this paper, President George W. Bush ordered on January 10, 2007 the deployment of 21,500 additional troops to Iraq, most of whom would be deployed to Baghdad.

Military awards Keane has received include two Defense Distinguished Service Medals, two Army Distinguished Service Medals, the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Joint Chiefs Service Badge, the Humanitarian Service Medal, five Legions of Merit, Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, and Air Assault Badge.

His civilian awards include the Fordham University Distinguished Alumni Award, the USO 2002 Man of the Year award, and the Association of the United States Army 2001 Man of the Year award.

• Defense Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
• Army Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
• Silver Star
• Legion of Merit
• Bronze Star
• Humanitarian Service Medal

Keane currently sits on the board of directors of MetLife, General Dynamics, AlliedBarton and consultant/strategic advisor Academi.

Son of William Keane and Maude (Brown) Keane, and brother of Ronald Keane. Keane married his wife, Theresa née Doyle, in 1965; the two have two sons, Matthew and Daniel.