Client service
Pro bono service
People development
Research and insights
History
Timeline
1926
James O. McKinsey, a WWI Veteran and expert on management accounting, established his eponymous consulting Firm after witnessing inefficiencies in military suppliers
1942
As one of the Firm’s earliest US military engagements, McKinsey Firm assisted in the transition of the Air Corps to the Army Air Forces (AAF), particularly focused on its operations and organizational structure
1947
Ewing 'Zip' Reilley, a former Army Quartermaster and McKinsey consultant, served as a sounding board for Secretary of the Army, Frank Pace, suggesting how private sector leaders could address technological innovation, supply chains, and economic growth
1953
Amid the Korean War, Secretary of the Air Force, Harold Talbot, called on McKinsey Managing Partner, Marvin Bower to conduct research on two large aircraft engine manufacturers doing business with the Air Force. The goal resulted in improving manufacturers’ lead times and the military’s air superiority
1955
McKinsey aids the Army Comptroller by drafting a Controllers Guide aimed towards developing a common understanding of concepts and functions of comptrollership throughout the Army
1955
McKinsey supports the reorganization of the National Security Agency (NSA)
1957
Ron Daniel, US Navy Veteran and future McKinsey Managing Partner, joins the Firm. He cited his time in the Navy as years of “untouchable technical and leadership experience” that transferred to his success at the Firm
1964
McKinsey conducts a diagnostic of Air Force Systems Command, evaluating and strengthening the financial management of the command’s weapons definition and procurement program
1965
Amid the Vietnam war, McKinsey supports the entire budget planning, programming, and budgeting system of the Defense Department. During this same year, McKinsey supports the Navy’s $2B program dedicated to determining and funding naval ship requirements and design characteristics
1966
McKinsey advises the Department of Defense on new approaches to managing its $35B in annual operating costs
1967
McKinsey designs an integrated, updated Army resource management system covering all phases of managing the Army’s forces, equipment, personnel, supplies, facilities, and funds
1969
Lee Walton, US Navy Veteran, assumes the role of managing director of McKinsey after Marvin Bower
1973
McKinsey partnered with the Veterans Administration to determine its role in the broader American healthcare system. David Hertz, a McKinsey consultant and WWII Veteran, led this work
1976
Under managing director and U.S. Navy veteran Ron Daniel, the firm adds individual practices that span geographic boundaries, each focusing on a specific industry. The new industry-focused partners become the firm’s first true global experts
2001
McKinsey advises and assists in improving NYC’s emergency-response capabilities following the 9/11 attacks
2009
McKinsey helps various Iraqi businesses stabilize their operations in post-war Iraq
2020
During the COVID-19 pandemic, McKinsey partnered with the various USG and state agencies, including VA to analyze the impacts of the disease on the availability of workforce, supplies, and capacity
2023
McKinsey partners with Skillbridge, a program sponsored by the Department of Defense, to bring service members in their last six months of duty into civilian internships. All nine colleagues who participated in the inaugural cohort received offers to return to McKinsey fulltime
2024
McKinsey welcomed its second Skillbridge cohort of fifteen colleagues
Our Commitment
Our partnership
American College of Financial Services
American Corporate Partners
Avalon Action Alliance
Bob Woodruff Foundation
Combined Arms
COMMIT
Elizabeth Dole Foundation
Honor Flight Network
MOAA
Project Healing Waters
Team Red, White & Blue
The Warrior Alliance
Warrior-Scholar Project
With Honor
The Honor Foundation
Pat Tillman Foundation
National Ability Center
Hire Heroes USA
The Mission Continues
McKinsey is proud to have supported The Mission Continues, an organization that is providing veterans opportunities to continue their service and leadership in under-resourced communities. For several years, McKinsey has supported hundreds of veterans in their Women Veterans Leadership Program (WVLP) by offering workshops focused on “Negotiations” and “Building Your Network”. The WVLP is designed to empower women veterans by providing them with the tools, resources, and support they need to enhance their leadership skills and make a positive impact in their communities.
McKinsey also recently supported the development of a new operating model and strategy that could enable TMC to grow to more than 75 new cities over the next 5 years. These efforts have set the foundation for the organization to scale the impact of its Veteran Leadership and community service programs to empower more Veterans than ever before.
Student Veterans of America
Featured Insights
The value of veterans
From the military to the workforce: How to leverage veterans’ skills
Leadership lessons from the military
Lessons from the military for COVID-time leadership
A military veteran knows why your employees are leaving
Author Talks: Fighting the good fight
Meet our veterans
Scott Blackburn
Senior Partner
U.S. Army
Dan Krimowski
Associate
U.S. Army
John Buchner
Associate
U.S. Marine Corps
Quinton Allen
Expert
U.S. Marine Corps
Alison Wagner
Engagement Manager
U.S. Navy
Matthew Roberts
Associate Partner
U.S. Navy
Candice Creecy
Associate
U.S. Marine Corps
Tabitha Strobel
Associate Partner
U.S. Navy