Bryan McGrath

Former Deputy Director, Center for American Seapower

At A Glance:

Bryan McGrath is former deputy director of Hudson Institute's Center for American Seapower.

Biography

Bryan McGrath was deputy director of Hudson Institute's Center for American Seapower.

Bryan is the founding Managing Director of The FerryBridge Group LLC (FBG), a niche consultancy specializing in naval and national security issues, including national and military strategy, strategic planning, executive communications, strategic communications and emerging technologies.

Prior to starting FBG, Bryan founded a national security consulting line of business for Delex Systems of Herndon, VA, where he directly supported a number of senior clients in the Navy and the Army.  Additionally, he provided critical insight on Navy policy and acquisition preferences to commercial clients, including major defense contractors and small technology firms negotiating the "post-earmarks" era.    

A retired Naval Officer, Bryan spent 21 years on active duty including a tour in command of USS BULKELEY (DDG 84), a guided-missile destroyer homeported in Norfolk, Virginia.  In command, he received the "Admiral Elmo Zumwalt Award for Inspirational Leadership" from the Surface Navy Association and his ship earned the USS ARIZONA Memorial Trophy signifying its selection as the Fleet's most combat-ready warship.  His final duties ashore included serving as Team Lead and Primary Author of the US Navy's 2007 Maritime Strategy A Cooperative Strategy for 21st Century Seapower.

In his spare time, Bryan is a well-published commentator in the fields of national and maritime strategy, with policy papers published at major think tanks, and articles placed in nationally marketed periodicals.  He is a frequent panelist at symposia that deal with naval issues and is frequently quoted by major press organizations.

Bryan earned a BA in History from the University of Virginia in 1987, and an MA in Political Science (Congressional Studies) from The Catholic University of America. He is a graduate of the Naval War College. 

13
December 2019
Past Event
U.S. Naval Surveillance in the Era of Great Power Competition
Featured Speakers:
Seth Cropsey
Bryan McGrath
David Larter
13
December 2019
Past Event
U.S. Naval Surveillance in the Era of Great Power Competition

The competition for dominance in the West Pacific continues to escalate as China attempts to thwart U.S. strategy and claim a greater hold within the

Featured Speakers:
Seth Cropsey
Bryan McGrath
David Larter
27
February 2019
Past Event
Conversations on National Security and U.S. Naval Power: A Discussion with U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton
Featured Speakers:
Congressman Seth Moulton
Bryan McGrath
27
February 2019
Past Event
Conversations on National Security and U.S. Naval Power: A Discussion with U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton

Experts discuss U.S. naval power

Featured Speakers:
Congressman Seth Moulton
Bryan McGrath
16
November 2018
Past Event
Implications of U.S.-China Tensions in the Indo-Pacific
Featured Speakers:
Vice Admiral Yoji Koda (Ret.)
Bryan McGrath
Aparna Pande
Satoru Nagao
Arthur Herman (Moderator)
 Photo DigitalGlobe via Getty Images
16
November 2018
Past Event
Implications of U.S.-China Tensions in the Indo-Pacific

Experts discuss the South China Sea

 Photo DigitalGlobe via Getty Images
Featured Speakers:
Vice Admiral Yoji Koda (Ret.)
Bryan McGrath
Aparna Pande
Satoru Nagao
Arthur Herman (Moderator)
09
November 2018
Past Event
The Future of Navy Expeditionary Warfare
Featured Speakers:
Major General David W. Coffman
Bryan McGrath
09
November 2018
Past Event
The Future of Navy Expeditionary Warfare

Major General David W. Coffman and Bryan McGrath discuss American seapower

Featured Speakers:
Major General David W. Coffman
Bryan McGrath
29
January 2018
Past Event
Maritime Strategy in a New Era of Great Power Competition
Featured Speakers:
Dr. Seth Cropsey
Walter Russell Mead
Bryan McGrath
29
January 2018
Past Event
Maritime Strategy in a New Era of Great Power Competition

Seth Cropsey, Bryan McGrath, and Walter Russell Mead will discuss U.S. maritime strategy.

Featured Speakers:
Dr. Seth Cropsey
Walter Russell Mead
Bryan McGrath
01
March 2017
Past Event
The Trump Navy: Getting to 350 Ships
Featured Speakers:
Seth Cropsey
Secretary Janine Davidson
Bryan McGrath
Bryan Clark
Ships from the George Washington and Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Groups steam in formation at the conclusion of Valiant Shield 2014. (U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Paolo Bayas/Released)
01
March 2017
Past Event
The Trump Navy: Getting to 350 Ships

Hon. Janine Davidson, Bryan Clark, Seth Cropsey, and Bryan McGrath discuss President Trump's Navy and the challenge of getting to 350 ships.

Ships from the George Washington and Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Groups steam in formation at the conclusion of Valiant Shield 2014. (U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Paolo Bayas/Released)
Featured Speakers:
Seth Cropsey
Secretary Janine Davidson
Bryan McGrath
Bryan Clark
08
October 2015
Past Event
Sharpening the Spear: Report Release on the Future of the Aircraft Carrier
Featured Speakers:
Congressman J. Randy Forbes (R-VA)
Seth Cropsey
Bryan McGrath
Timothy A. Walton
Ronald O’Rourke
Robert Martinage
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08
October 2015
Past Event
Sharpening the Spear: Report Release on the Future of the Aircraft Carrier

Rep. Randy Forbes spoke on Hudson's Center for American Seapower's new report about the future of the aircraft carrier.

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Featured Speakers:
Congressman J. Randy Forbes (R-VA)
Seth Cropsey
Bryan McGrath
Timothy A. Walton
Ronald O’Rourke
Robert Martinage
30
April 2015
Past Event
21st Century Sims: Innovation, Education, and Leadership for the Modern Era
Featured Speakers:
Lieutenant Commander B.J. Armstrong
Seth Cropsey
Bryan McGrath
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30
April 2015
Past Event
21st Century Sims: Innovation, Education, and Leadership for the Modern Era

B.J. Armstrong discusses his latest book, 21st Century Sims, with Seth Cropsey and Bryan McGrath of Hudson Center for American Seapower.

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Featured Speakers:
Lieutenant Commander B.J. Armstrong
Seth Cropsey
Bryan McGrath
25
July 2014
Past Event
The Future of Surface Warfare Lethality
Featured Speakers:
Seth Cropsey
Bryan Clark
Bryan McGrath
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25
July 2014
Past Event
The Future of Surface Warfare Lethality

Hudson Institute hosted a panel on the state of U.S. Surface Force lethality across several warfighting domains.

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Featured Speakers:
Seth Cropsey
Bryan Clark
Bryan McGrath