In this fourth installment of the podcast that brings you stories of the spirit of service with exclusive content every week, Operation Gratitude CEO Kevin Schmiegel and NAMI Chief Strategy and Operations Officer Sherman Gillums, Jr. host the Honorable Patrick Murphy, the 32nd Undersecretary of the Army.
Murphy reflects on his time in the Army, his family’s military commitments, the awards and accolades that he earned and the people he interacted with that got him where he is today. The conversation covers a range of topics about bridging the civilian/service divide and the need for a national call for service and Murphy’s desire to lead a purpose-driven life in serving others.
Patrick J. Murphy began serving our nation at age 19, when he enlisted in the United States Army. For the past 28 years, in one role after another, he has maintained that commitment to serve—as a soldier, as the first Iraq War veteran elected to Congress, as the Under Secretary and Acting Secretary of the Army, and as a champion for veterans’ issues with an extensive background in health care management and innovation.
As the member of a military family, Patrick understands both the challenges facing previous generations of veterans and the experiences of his fellow service members who came of age during the post-9/11 era. Today, he brings a vision focused on innovation, efficiency, and accountability to shaping the future of veterans’ support and empowerment.
Patrick’s leadership harnesses the power of public, private, and nonprofit partners to support veterans in finding jobs, starting businesses, and securing quality health care and mental health services. His mission is to help provide all of America’s 20 million veterans—including the more than nine million who rely on the Department of Veterans Affairs—with the opportunity to enjoy stability and success.
