William H. McRaven facts for kids

Quick facts for kids William McRaven
Official portrait, 2012
11th Chancellor of the University of Texas System
In office January 5, 2015 – May 31, 2018
Preceded by	Francisco G. Cigarroa
Succeeded by	James B. Milliken
9th Commander of the United States Special Operations Command
In office August 8, 2011 – August 28, 2014
President	Barack Obama
Deputy	David P. Fridovich John F. Mulholland Jr.
Preceded by	Eric T. Olson
Succeeded by	Joseph Votel
Personal details
Born	William Harry McRaven (1955-11-06) November 6, 1955 (age 69) Pinehurst, North Carolina, U.S.
Spouse	Georgeann Brady (m. 1978)
Children	3
Education	University of Texas, Austin (BA) Naval Postgraduate School (MS)
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Navy
Years of service	1977–2014
Rank	Admiral
Unit	SEAL Team Six
Commands	U.S. Special Operations Command Joint Special Operations Command Special Operations Command Europe Naval Special Warfare Group 1 SEAL Team 3
Battles/wars	Persian Gulf War  • Operation Desert Shield  • Operation Desert Storm War on terror  • Operation Enduring Freedom  • Operation Neptune Spear War in Afghanistan Iraq War
Awards	Defense Distinguished Service Medal (3) Defense Superior Service Medal (2) Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star (2)

William Harry McRaven (born November 6, 1955) is a retired four-star admiral from the United States Navy. He was the ninth commander of the United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM) from 2011 to 2014. After his military career, he served as the leader, or chancellor, of The University of Texas System from 2015 to 2018.

Before leading SOCOM, Admiral McRaven was in charge of the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) from 2008 to 2011. He also commanded Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR) from 2006 to 2008. He was the first director of the NATO Special Operations Forces Coordination Center, which helps special forces from different countries work better together. Admiral McRaven retired from the U.S. Navy in 2014, after serving for more than 37 years.

Early Life and Education

Growing Up in Texas

William McRaven was born in Pinehurst, North Carolina. His father, Claude C. McRaven, was a Spitfire fighter pilot during World War II and also played a short time in the NFL. William has two older sisters. His family moved to Texas when he was young, and they settled in San Antonio. He went to Theodore Roosevelt High School, where he was part of the track team.

College Years

McRaven attended the University of Texas at Austin. He was a member of the track team and also joined the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps, which prepares students to become Navy officers. He earned a bachelor's degree in journalism in 1977. Later, he received a master's degree from the Naval Postgraduate School. There, he helped start a special program focused on special operations.

A Career in the Navy

Becoming a Navy SEAL

After college, McRaven became an officer in the U.S. Navy. He volunteered for Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training (BUD/S), which is very tough. He completed the training in 1978 and became a Navy SEAL officer. Early in his career, he was sent to the Philippines.

In 1982, McRaven joined SEAL Team Six, a highly specialized unit. He served as an assault team leader. He later moved to another SEAL team. Throughout his career, McRaven held many important roles in special operations. He commanded SEAL Team THREE from 1994 to 1996. In 2001, he had a parachute accident during training and broke his pelvis.

McRaven also worked on strategic planning for the National Security Council. He was a key leader in a group called 'Task Force 714', which was very successful in fighting Al Qaeda in Iraq. He also helped create Cultural Support Teams (CSTs) in Afghanistan, which were special units that worked with Afghan women.

Georgeann Brady McRaven, McRaven's wife, and Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta affix Navy Adm. William H. McRaven's new rank as a Four-Star Admiral at a U.S. Special Operations Command ceremony at MacDill Air Force Base, in Tampa, Florida, August 8, 2011

In 2011, President Barack Obama nominated McRaven to become a full Admiral and lead the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). The Senate approved his promotion, and he took command on August 8, 2011.

Leading Operation Neptune Spear

Admiral McRaven is well-known for planning and overseeing Operation Neptune Spear. This was the secret mission that led to the killing of Osama bin Laden on May 2, 2011. The head of the CIA, Leon Panetta, gave McRaven the responsibility for making all the decisions about how to carry out the raid.

McRaven worked closely with the CIA to plan the mission. He considered different ways to approach the compound where bin Laden was hiding. The day before the mission, President Obama called McRaven to wish him good luck. For his role in this important operation, McRaven was a runner-up for Time Person of the Year in December 2011.

Retiring from the Military

After a distinguished 37-year career, Admiral McRaven retired from the U.S. Navy on September 1, 2014. For the last few years of his service, he held the title of "Bull Frog," which means he was the longest-serving Navy SEAL still on active duty.

After the Navy

Leading the University of Texas System

In July 2014, Admiral McRaven was chosen to be the chancellor of the University of Texas System. He officially started this role on January 5, 2015. As chancellor, he was in charge of a large system of universities.

He stepped down from this position on May 31, 2018. He explained that he was dealing with ongoing health issues and wanted to spend more time with his family.

Public Statements on Leadership

Admiral McRaven has often spoken about the importance of good leadership and national unity. He has shared his views on how leaders should act and how important it is for the country to work together. He has emphasized that leaders should uphold the dignity of their office and bring people together, especially during difficult times.

He has also highlighted the importance of the United States maintaining strong alliances with other countries around the world. He believes that U.S. leadership is essential on the global stage.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (left) speaks with William McRaven (right) at a reception at the LBJ Presidential Library.

Personal Life and Giving Back

Admiral McRaven is married to Georgeann Brady, whom he met in college. They have three children.

He and his wife are involved with the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. This organization helps the children of special operations personnel who have been killed or wounded.

In March 2024, McRaven received a $50-million Courage and Civility Award from Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez. He announced that he plans to use this generous gift to support the education of children whose veteran parents have passed away. He also wants to help with the mental health of veterans and train future military leaders.

Awards and Honors

Admiral McRaven has received many awards and decorations throughout his career for his service and leadership.

List of Awards

• Naval Special Warfare insignia
• Defense Distinguished Service Medal
• Defense Superior Service Medal
• Legion of Merit
• Bronze Star Medal
• Defense Meritorious Service Medal
• Meritorious Service Medal
• Joint Service Commendation Medal
• Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
• Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal
• Combat Action Ribbon
• Navy Unit Commendation
• National Intelligence Distinguished Public Service Medal
• Navy "E" Ribbon
• National Defense Service Medal
• Southwest Asia Service Medal
• Afghanistan Campaign Medal
• Iraq Campaign Medal
• Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
• Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
• Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
• Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon
• Legion of Honor (from France)
• Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
• Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
• Navy Expert Rifleman Medal
• Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal
• Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia
• Presidential Service Badge
• United States Special Operations Command Badge
• The Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement (2014)
• The Distinguished American Award (2016)
• The Texas Commandery of the Naval Order of the United States 2017 Nimitz Leadership Award
• The Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association’s National Award
• The National Intelligence Award

Books

Admiral McRaven wrote a book titled Spec Ops: Case Studies in Special Operations Warfare: Theory and Practice.