Command Sgt. Maj. Michael A. Grinston, the top enlisted soldier for U.S. Army Forces Command at Fort Bragg, has been selected to serve as the 16th sergeant major of the Army.
Secretary of the Army Mark T. Esper and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley announced Grinston’s selection in a statement released by the Army Tuesday.
.@SecArmy and @ArmyChiefStaff just announced Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Grinston, @FORSCOM senior enlisted leader, will become the 16th Sergeant Major of the Army, Aug. 16, 2019.
For more infomation: https://t.co/UIL5LESDfJ#Leadership pic.twitter.com/VyKobjqCHT
— U.S. Army (@USArmy) June 11, 2019
Grinston is scheduled to be sworn in during a ceremony at the Pentagon on Aug. 16.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to continue to serve the great soldiers and families of the United States Army,” he said in the statement.
As sergeant major of the Army, Grinston will serve as the Army chief of staff’s personal adviser on matters affecting enlisted troops. Much of his time will be spent observing training and talking to soldiers and their families.
Grinston will recommend quality-of-life improvements to Army leaders and sits on numerous councils that make decisions affecting Army families, according to the statement. The sergeant major of the Army also routinely testifies before Congress on those issues, it said.
The sergeant major of the Army also serves as the public face of the Army’s noncommissioned officer corps for the American people; in the media; and through business and community engagements, the statement said.
Grinston’s deployments include two tours each to Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. He served in Desert Shield, Desert Storm and in Kosovo. He also was the senior enlisted leader for the Army’s first deployment of a division headquarters, with the 1st Infantry Division during Operation Inherent Resolve from October 2014 to June 2015.
Grinston, who is from Jasper, Alabama, joined the Army in October 1987. He spent much of his career in artillery units and served with the 1st Battalion, 39th Field Artillery Regiment at Fort Bragg.
Grinston’s awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, two Legion of Merit awards and five Bronze Stars, including two with “V” devices. He also has earned the Ranger tab, master parachutist badge, air assault badge, drill sergeant identification badge and the combat action badge.
Esper said he looks forward to working with Grinston.
Congratulations to Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Grinston on his selection as the #16thSMA. The @USArmy is in the midst of a renaissance & he is a great choice to carry on our readiness, modernization, & reform efforts. I’m looking forward to working with him on a daily basis. 💪💪 pic.twitter.com/8qhPKexpLd
— SecArmy (@SecArmy) June 11, 2019
“The Army is in the midst of a renaissance, and he is a great choice to carry on our readiness, modernization and reform efforts,” Esper said.
Milley called Grinston “a world class leader” who stands out among noncommissioned officers.
“He is the right noncommissioned officer to lead our Army into the future,” Milley said.
Grinston will succeed Sgt. Maj. of the Army Daniel A. Dailey, who has served in the position since January 2015.
“Command Sgt. Maj. Grinston is the right leader,” Dailey said. “He possesses all of the character and leadership qualities necessary to lead our NCO Corps into the future, and he will continue to serve the best interests of our soldiers, their families and the Army.”
Congratulations to CSM Michael Grinston for his selection as the 16th SMA. He is an outstanding leader who has spent his career serving the best interests of our Soldiers, their Families & the @USArmy. #ArmyStrong #SoldierForLife @SecArmy @UnderSecArmy @ArmyChiefStaff @VCSA pic.twitter.com/aPZaRwscaO
— Daniel A. Dailey (@15thSMA) June 11, 2019
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© 2019 The Fayetteville Observer (Fayetteville, N.C.)
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