Episode 82: A Conversation With Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Grinston

The 18th Airborne Corps Podcast

Michael Grinston, the 16th Sergeant Major of the Army, came through Fort Bragg, North Carolina, home of the Airborne and Special Forces. SMA was on Bragg observing a study held on the post of the service’s current height and weight requirements. While here, he met with Sergeant Carlos Cuebas, a Soldier who works on the 18th Airborne Corps podcast to record this episode.

SMA spoke with Carlos about the changes in Army culture, the always controversial and ever-changing Army Combat Fitness Test, and the new ways the Army will evaluate height and weight. Grinston also reflected back on a career of service that's spanned almost 35 years.

Grinston was sworn in as the 16th Sergeant Major of the Army, basically the Army's senior enlisted man, on August 9, 2019. He's held every enlisted leadership position in artillery, ranging from cannon crewmember to command sergeant major.

As SMA Grinston is Army Chief of Staff McConville's personal adviser on matters affecting the enlisted force. He devotes the majority of his time traveling throughout the Army to observe training and interact with Soldiers and their Families (this trip to Bragg is an example).

He sits on a variety of councils and boards that make decisions affecting enlisted Soldiers and their Families and routinely invited to testify before Congress. Grinston is the public face of the U.S. Army's Noncommissioned Officer Corps, representing the NCO Corps to the American people in the media and through business and community engagements.

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