Chief of Staff, Office of the Chaplain of the United States Senate
Dr. Alan N. Keiran is a native of Seituate, Massachusetts. After graduating from Seituate High School in 1970, he attended Northeastern University until he enlisted in the Naval Reserve in December 1971. After completing boot camp, he reported to Naval Security Group, San Vito, Italy, where he served until December 1973. Following his release from active duty, he re-enrolled at Northeastern University where he met his wife, Sally. In May 1976 Alan graduated with his BS in Natural Resource Economics and moved to Philadelphia, PA to attend Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Alan graduated with his Master of Divinity Degree and was ordained an American Baptist Minister in May 1979. From June 1979 to August 1980 Alan served as pastor of Old Stone Church, West Milton, NY until he was recalled to active duty in September 1980.
Alan served as an active-duty Navy Chaplain from September 1980 until his retirement at the rank of Captain in October 2003. He served in a variety of assignments with Navy and Marine Corps units including: Marine Corps Air Station, Iwakuni, Japan, where the Keirans adopted their son, John (1986-89); 6th Marine Regimental Chaplain deploying to combat operations during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm (1990-92); Senior Chaplain at Camp Lejeune, NC (1999-2000); and in his final assignment as the Executive Assistant to the Chief of Navy Chaplains (2000 to 2003). On 10 September 2003 Alan began his new ministry as Chief of Staff for the Chaplain of the U.S. Senate. Alan also serves as a teaching and preaching elder at The Kings Chapel, Fairfax, VA.
Alan received his Master of Theology Degree from Princeton Seminary in 1986 and his Doctor of Ministry Degree in Christian Spirituality from Gordon-Conwell Seminary in May 1997. He was awarded the 2003 American Baptist Military Chaplain Merit Award. The Keiran family resides in Springfield, VA.