Secretary of the Army Dr. Mark T. Esper and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley, announced today Command Sgt. Maj. Michael A. Grinston will assume responsibilities as the 16th sergeant major of the Army (SMA).

“I look forward to working with Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Grinston,” Esper said. “The Army is in the midst of a renaissance, and he is a great choice to carry on our readiness, modernization and reform efforts.”

Grinston currently serves as the senior enlisted leader for U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) — the U.S. Army’s largest command and provider of expeditionary land forces. He is a combat veteran who has served in every leadership position from team leader to division command sergeant major.

His deployments include two tours each to Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, as well as Desert Shield, Desert Storm and to Kosovo. Grinston also served as the senior enlisted leader for the Army’s first deployment of a division headquarters, with 1st Infantry Division, in support of Operation Inherent Resolve from October 2014 to June 2015.

“Congratulations to Command Sgt. Maj. Grinston and his family,” Milley said. “He is a world class leader who stands out among our exceptional Noncommissioned Officer Corps. He is the right Noncommissioned Officer to lead our Army into the future.”

As the FORSCOM command sergeant major, Grinston played a key role in the development of training and preparation of combat units as a globally responsive force as the Army simultaneously builds and sustains readiness to meet the needs of national defense. He will succeed Sgt. Maj. of the Army Daniel A. Dailey, who has served in that 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.”

The 16th SMA will serve as the Army chief of staff’s personal adviser on matters affecting the enlisted force. Much of the sergeant major of the Army’s time is spent traveling throughout the Army to observe training, and talk to Soldiers and their families.

The SMA recommends quality-of-life improvements to Army leadership and sits on numerous councils that make decisions affecting Army families. The sergeant major of the Army also routinely testifies before Congress on these issues. Additionally, Grinston will serve as the public face of the Army’s NCO Corps to the American people, in the media, and through business and community engagements.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to continue to serve the great Soldiers and families of the United States Army,” Grinston said.

Grinston will be sworn in as the 16th SMA during a ceremony at the Pentagon on Aug. 16, 2019.

His awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (2), and 5 Bronze Stars (2 with ‘V’ devices). He has earned the Ranger tab, Master Parachutist badge, Air Assault badge, Drill Sergeant Identification badge, and the Combat Action Badge. He has attended every level of the Noncommissioned Officer Education System, and is a graduate of Ranger, Airborne and Air Assault Schools. He’s also a graduate of the U.S. Army Drill Sergeant School and the Equal Opportunity Course.

Grinston possesses a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from the University of Maryland University College. He is married and has two daughters.