General Jack Keane: Education, Military Career, and Post-Retirement Influence
John M. "Jack" Keane, a retired four-star general, has had a distinguished career marked by military service, strategic advising, and contributions to national security discourse. His career trajectory, underpinned by a solid educational foundation, showcases a blend of practical military experience and academic pursuits.
Early Life and Education
Born on February 1, 1943, in Manhattan, New York City, to Elizabeth (née Davis) and John Keane, he grew up in a housing project on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Keane's academic journey began at Bishop Dubois High School. He then attended Fordham University, where he participated in the Pershing Rifles, becoming the first member of his family to attend college when he enrolled at Fordham’s business school. He graduated with a B.S. degree in accounting in 1966. Later in his academic pursuits, Keane attended Western Kentucky University, earning an M.A. degree in philosophy.
Military Career
Keane's 37-year military career is marked by significant leadership roles and combat experience. He served in the Vietnam War as a Ranger paratrooper, leading in combat as a platoon leader and company commander. He also participated in engagements in Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia, and Kosovo. Keane rose to lead the famed 101st Airborne Division and the legendary 18th Airborne Corps before being named Vice Chief of Staff of the Army in 1999. He served as Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army from 1999 to 2003, directing 1.5 million soldiers and civilians in 120 countries, with an annual operating budget of 110 billion dollars.
A notable event in his career occurred in 1991 when Keane saved the life of David Petraeus during a live-fire exercise. According to Keane, Petraeus was shot "accidentally, standing right next to me, and I had to fight to save his life."
Keane was in the Pentagon when it was attacked on September 11, 2001. He lost 85 Army teammates that day and was soon dispatched to New York City to take part in the response to the World Trade Center attacks.
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Advisor and Strategist
After his retirement from the military in December 2003, Keane transitioned into an advisory role, leveraging his extensive experience to influence national security policy. Since 2004, Gen. Keane spent a decade conducting frequent trips to Iraq and Afghanistan for senior defense officials with multiple visits during the surge period in both countries directly assisting Gen. David Petraeus. He has served as an informal advisor to presidents and other senior officials. He served an advisory role in the management of the US occupation of Iraq, as a member of the Defense Policy Board Advisory Committee.
In January 2007, Keane and the scholar Frederick W. Kagan released a policy paper, "Choosing Victory: A Plan for Success in Iraq," through the American Enterprise Institute that called for bringing security by putting 30,000 additional American troops there for 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. Debate was intense over how long the surge should last. Keane supported a longer buildup of at least one year. The surge was supposed to support the Iraqi Security Forces until they could assume responsibility for country security. The National Intelligence Estimate supported the longer timeframe, noting that there were problems with the independence of the Iraqi police from sectarian militias and death squads.
Of his initial meeting with President Bush regarding the surge, Keane said that he made a phone call to Newt Gingrich to ask his advice prior to the meeting. As Keane said in 2014, Gingrich gave me some good advice. He said, "Look, Jack. Most people go in the Oval Office, even people who go in there a lot, have a tendency in front of the President of the United States to always leave something on the table." He said, "Don't leave anything on the table." He said, "You're going to get about 15 minutes at best and put it all out there.
Keane was asked by Vice President Cheney to go back on active duty and to lead the surge in the field. When Keane declined, Cheney pressed him to come work in the White House and oversee both the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq; Keane again declined.
Business and Media Roles
Beyond his advisory roles, Keane has been involved in various business, think tank, and charitable activities. He is a regular contributor to Fox News, providing commentary on national security matters. He is chairman of the board of the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank, and a member of the prestigious Secretary of Defense Policy Board. He also serves as an advisor to presidents, cabinet officials, members of congress, international leaders, CEOs and business leaders.
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In November 2016, shortly after Stanley A. McChrystal declined the post of Secretary of Defense, Keane was offered it, but also declined, citing the death of his wife several months earlier.
Keane joined SIGA’s Board on March 17, 2025 as an independent director. He brings deep national security and biodefense expertise with extensive public company board experience. The Board classified him as independent under Nasdaq rules.
Awards and Recognition
Keane's contributions have been recognized through numerous awards and honors. For his valor in combat operations, he received numerous decorations, most notably the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, two Defense Distinguished Service Medals, and five Legions of Merit. 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. General Keane was the first military leader to be honored with the Ronald Reagan Peace Through Strength Award and the prestigious Bradley Prize. In March of 2020 General Keane was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House.
Current Engagements
As of March 2025, Keane serves as an independent director on SIGA’s Board. He was initially recommended to the Nominating Committee by a security holder.
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