Christopher W. Grady

Last updated
Christopher Grady
ADM Christopher W. Grady (2).jpg
Born (1962-11-28) November 28, 1962 (age 61)
Portsmouth, Virginia, U.S.
Allegiance United States
Service/branch United States Navy
Years of service1984–present
Rank Admiral
Commands held Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
United States Fleet Forces Command
United States Naval Forces Northern Command
United States Naval Forces Strategic Command
Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO
United States Sixth Fleet
Carrier Strike Group 1
Destroyer Squadron 22
USS Cole (DDG 67)
USS Ardent (MCM 12)
USS Chief (MCM 14)
Battles/wars Gulf War
War in Afghanistan
Iraq War
Awards Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit (5)
Alma mater University of Notre Dame (BA)
Georgetown University (MA)
National Defense University (MS)

Christopher Watson Grady (born November 28, 1962) [1] [2] is a United States Navy admiral who is currently serving as the 12th vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff since December 20, 2021. [3]

Contents

Grady most recently served as the commander of United States Fleet Forces Command and United States Naval Forces Northern Command from May 2018 to December 2021, with additional duties as commander of United States Naval Forces Strategic Command and Joint Force Maritime Component Commander from February 2019. He previously served as commander of the United States Sixth Fleet, commander of Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, deputy commander of United States Naval Forces Europe - Naval Forces Africa and Joint Force Maritime Component Commander Europe from October 2016 to March 2018.

A 1984 graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Grady was commissioned into the Navy via the Naval Reserve Officers' Training Corps program. He is now the Navy's "Old Salt", its longest-serving surface warfare officer on active duty, having received the title and accompanying trophy from Admiral Philip S. Davidson on April 30, 2021. [4]

Rear Adm. Grady, as commander, Carrier Strike Group 1, prepares food on Thanksgiving dinner for sailors aboard the USS Carl Vinson, November 27, 2014. Operation Inherent Resolve 141127-N-WD464-143.jpg
Rear Adm. Grady, as commander, Carrier Strike Group 1, prepares food on Thanksgiving dinner for sailors aboard the USS Carl Vinson, November 27, 2014.

Christopher Grady was born in Portsmouth, Virginia [1] and raised in Newport, Rhode Island. He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, [5] and was commissioned an ensign in the United States Navy through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps program in 1984. [6] Grady is a distinguished graduate of Georgetown University, where he earned a Master of Arts in National Security Studies while concurrently participating as a fellow in Foreign Service at the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service. He is also a distinguished graduate of the National War College of National Defense University, earning a Master of Science in National Security Affairs. [7]

Grady's initial sea tour was aboard USS Moosbrugger (DD 980), where he served as combat information center officer and anti-submarine warfare officer. As a department head, he served as weapons control officer and combat systems officer in USS Princeton (CG 59). He was the commanding officer of Mine Counter Measure Rotational Crew Echo in USS Chief (MCM 14), and deployed to the Persian Gulf in command of USS Ardent (MCM 12). Grady then commanded USS Cole (DDG 67) deploying as part of NATO's Standing Naval Forces Mediterranean. He then commanded Destroyer Squadron 22, deploying to the Persian Gulf as sea combat commander for the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (TRCSG) in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

Vice Adm. Grady visits the Lindormen-class support vessel EML Wambola (A433) during exercise BALTOPS 2017, June 10, 2017. 170610-N-PF515-3 (35089236532).jpg
Vice Adm. Grady visits the Lindormen-class support vessel EML Wambola (A433) during exercise BALTOPS 2017, June 10, 2017.

Ashore, Grady first served on the staff of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and then as naval aide to the chief of naval operations. He also served on the staff of the chief of naval operations as assistant branch head, Europe and Eurasia Politico-Military Affairs Branch (OPNAV N524). He then served as executive assistant to the navy's Chief of Legislative Affairs. Next, he served as the deputy executive secretary of the National Security Council in the White House. He then went on to serve as the executive assistant to the chief of naval operations.

Grady's flag assignments include the Director of the Maritime Operations Center (N2/3/5/7), commander, United States Pacific Fleet; Commander, Carrier Strike Group 1 and the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group, where he deployed for nearly ten months to the Western Pacific and the Persian Gulf conducting combat operations in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. He was then commander of Naval Surface Force Atlantic.

Grady is sworn in as the 12th vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on December 20, 2021. Secretary Austin Swears in Admiral Grady as new Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff 211220-D-TT977-0054.jpg
Grady is sworn in as the 12th vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on December 20, 2021.

As a vice admiral, he commanded the United States Sixth Fleet from October 28, 2016 [8] to March 1, 2018, relinquishing command to Vice Admiral Lisa Franchetti. [9] On October 31, 2017, the United States Senate confirmed Grady's reappointment to the rank of vice admiral and assignment as the assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. [10] [11]

On February 28, 2018, Grady was nominated by President Donald Trump for appointment to the rank of admiral and assignment as commander of United States Fleet Forces Command, [12] and confirmed by the Senate on March 22, 2018. [13] He assumed command of USFFC and Naval Forces Northern Command on May 4, 2018 [14] and of commander, Naval Forces Strategic Command (NAVSTRAT) and United States Strategic Command Joint Force Maritime Component Command (JFMCC) on February 1, 2019. [15] [16]

Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

On November 1, 2021, he was nominated by President Joe Biden to succeed retiring General John E. Hyten as the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. [17] [18] A nomination hearing was scheduled for December 2, 2021, but it was postponed in favor of Senate negotiations on the 2022 NDAA. [19] He was confirmed by voice vote on December 16, 2021, [18] and was sworn in on December 20, 2021. [20]

Personal life

Grady and his wife Christine, married around 1985, have three children and a daughter-in-law. [21]

Awards and decorations

Grady accepts the 'Old Salt' Award on board USS Cole (DDG 67) on April 30, 2021. Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command Adm. Grady Receives 'Old Salt' Award 210429-N-DP001-0001.jpg
Grady accepts the 'Old Salt' Award on board USS Cole (DDG 67) on April 30, 2021.

In addition to the below, the University of Notre Dame Alumni Board presented Grady with the Rev. William Corby, C.S.C., Award on September 28, 2019. Established in 1985, the award is conferred on alumni who have distinguished themselves in military service. [22]

Surface Warfare Officer Insignia.png Surface Warfare Officer Insignia
Navy CaS.png Command at Sea insignia
Joint Chiefs of Staff seal (2).svg Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
US - Presidential Service Badge.png Presidential Service Badge
Defense Distinguished Service ribbon.svg Defense Distinguished Service Medal [23]
Navy Distinguished Service ribbon.svg Navy Distinguished Service Medal
US Defense Superior Service Medal ribbon.svg Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit ribbon.svg 1 golden star.svg 1 golden star.svg 1 golden star.svg 1 golden star.svg Legion of Merit with four gold award stars
Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg 1 golden star.svg 1 golden star.svg 1 golden star.svg 1 golden star.svg Meritorious Service Medal with four award stars
Joint Service Commendation ribbon.svg Joint Service Commendation Medal
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation ribbon.svg "V" device, brass.svg 1 golden star.svg 1 golden star.svg 1 golden star.svg Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat V and three award stars
Joint Service Achievement Medal ribbon.svg Joint Service Achievement Medal
Joint Meritorious Unit Award (USMC and USN frame).svg Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation with one bronze service star
Battle Effectiveness Award ribbon, 3rd award.svg Navy "E" Ribbon with three Battle "E" devices
Navy Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg Navy Expeditionary Medal
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg
National Defense Service Medal with service star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Southwest Asia Service Medal ribbon (1991-2016).svg
Southwest Asia Service Medal with service star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary ribbon.svg Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service ribbon.svg Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Silver-service-star-3d.svg
Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.svg
Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with silver service star
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) ribbon.svg Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
United States Navy Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon with expert device.svg Navy Expert Rifleman Medal
United States Navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon with expert device.svg Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Fleet Forces Command</span> Service component command of the United States Navy

The United States Fleet Forces Command (USFF) is a service component command of the United States Navy that provides naval forces to a wide variety of U.S. forces. The naval resources may be allocated to Combatant Commanders such as United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) under the authority of the Secretary of Defense. Originally formed as United States Atlantic Fleet (USLANTFLT) in 1906, it has been an integral part of the defense of the United States of America since the early 20th century. In 2002, the Fleet comprised over 118,000 Navy and Marine Corps personnel serving on 186 ships and in 1,300 aircraft, with an area of responsibility ranging over most of the Atlantic Ocean from the North Pole to the South Pole, the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and the waters of the Pacific Ocean along the coasts of Central and South America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Second Fleet</span> Numbered fleet of the United States Navy

The United States Second Fleet is a numbered fleet in the United States Navy responsible for operations in the East Coast and North Atlantic Ocean. Established after World War II, Second Fleet was deactivated in 2011, when the United States government believed that Russia's military threat had diminished, and reestablished in 2018 amid renewed tensions between NATO and Russia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert C. Giffen</span>

Robert Carlisle Giffen was an admiral in the United States Navy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jonathan Greenert</span> Retired U.S. Navy admiral, 30th Chief of Naval Operations

Jonathan William Greenert is a former United States Navy admiral who served as the 30th Chief of Naval Operations from September 23, 2011, to September 18, 2015. He previously served as the 36th Vice Chief of Naval Operations from August 13, 2009, to August 22, 2011. Prior to that, he served as Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command from September 29, 2007, to July 29, 2009, deputy chief of Naval Operations for Integration of Capabilities and Resources from September 2006 to September 2007, and commander of U.S. Seventh Fleet from August 2004 to September 2006. He retired from the navy after over 40 years of service. In March 2016, the National Bureau of Asian Research announced that Greenert would become the third holder of the John M. Shalikashvili Chair in National Security Studies at NBR. In April 2016, Greenert was appointed to the board of directors for BAE Systems for a three-year term.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kurt W. Tidd</span>

Kurt Walter Tidd is a retired United States Navy admiral. He last served as the Commander, United States Southern Command. Prior to that assignment, Tidd served as Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He also served as the Director for Operations, Joint Staff (J-3) from 2012 to 2013, and as Commander, United States Naval Forces Southern Command and United States Fourth Fleet from August 5, 2011, to June 22, 2012. Confirmed by the Senate on December 16, 2015, Tidd received his fourth star and succeeded John F. Kelly as commander of United States Southern Command on January 14, 2016. Tidd held the title of "Old salt", which means he received his qualification for Surface Warfare before any other active-duty navy officer. He passed said title to Admiral Philip S. Davidson upon his retirement. Upon the May 30, 2018, retirement of his United States Naval Academy classmate, Admiral Harry B. Harris Jr., Tidd also gained the honorific of "Old Goat" – the longest-serving Naval Academy graduate on active duty. Harris presented Tidd with the Old Goat decanter in a ceremony on April 11, 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Naval Forces Central Command</span> Service component command of the United States Navy

United States Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) is the United States Navy element of United States Central Command (USCENTCOM). Its area of responsibility includes the Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Persian Gulf, and Arabian Sea. It consists of the United States Fifth Fleet and several other subordinate task forces, including Combined Task Force 150, Combined Task Force 158 and others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michelle Howard</span> United States Navy admiral (born 1960)

Michelle Janine Howard is a retired United States Navy four-star admiral who last served as the commander of the United States Naval Forces Europe, United States Naval Forces Africa and Allied Joint Force Command Naples. She previously was the 38th Vice Chief of Naval Operations. She assumed her last assignment on June 7, 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harold W. Gehman Jr.</span>

Harold Webster Gehman Jr. is a retired United States Navy four-star admiral who served as NATO's Supreme Allied Commander, Atlantic (SACLANT), Commander-in-Chief of the United States Joint Forces Command, one of the United States' Unified Combatant Commands, and Vice Chief of Naval Operations. He was also the Co-Chairman of the Commission that investigated the terrorist attack on the USS Cole and was Chairman of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB) after the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated during reentry in 2003, killing all seven crew members.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John C. Harvey Jr.</span>

John Collins Harvey Jr. is a former United States Navy four-star admiral who last served as the 31st Commander, United States Fleet Forces Command from July 24, 2009 to September 14, 2012. He previously served as Director, Navy Staff (N09B) from March 24, 2008 to July 23, 2009. Prior to that, he served as the 54th Chief of Naval Personnel and Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (N1) from November 2005 to April 2008. He retired from the navy after more than 39 years of service.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joseph E. Tofalo</span> American naval rear admiral

Vice Admiral Joseph Edward Tofalo is a United States Naval officer. Until 3 August 2018, he served as: Commander Submarine Forces; Commander Submarine Force Atlantic; Commander Task Force 144; Commander Task Force 84; Commander Allied Submarine Command.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James F. Caldwell Jr.</span> United States Navy admiral

James Franklin "Frank" Caldwell Jr. is an admiral in the United States Navy who currently serves as director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, a job once held by the program's creator, Admiral Hyman G. Rickover. He previously served as Naval Inspector General.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Philip S. Davidson</span>

Philip Scot Davidson is a retired four-star admiral in the United States Navy who last served as the 25th commander of United States Indo-Pacific Command from May 30, 2018 to April 30, 2021. He previously served as the commander of United States Fleet Forces Command and United States Naval Forces Northern Command from 2014 to 2018. Davidson is from St. Louis, Missouri, and is a 1982 graduate of the United States Naval Academy. He retired from the U.S. Navy effective May 1, 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lisa Franchetti</span> American Navy admiral (born 1964)

Admiral Lisa Marie Franchetti is a United States Navy admiral who has served as the 33rd chief of naval operations since November 2, 2023. She most recently served as the 42nd vice chief of naval operations from September 2022 to November 2023 and as acting chief of naval operations (CNO) from August to November 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scott Stearney</span>

Scott Andrew Stearney was an American naval aviator and vice admiral of the United States Navy who served as commander of the Fifth Fleet based in Bahrain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andrew L. Lewis (admiral)</span>

Andrew Lloyd Lewis is a retired admiral in the United States Navy who last served as the commander of the United States Second Fleet and NATO Joint Force Command for the Atlantic. Lewis previously served as the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans and Strategy. He took command of the United States Second Fleet upon its reestablishment on August 24, 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joint Force Command Norfolk</span> NATO multinational naval formation/command

The Joint Force Command - Norfolk (JFC-NF) is a joint operational level command part of the NATO Military Command Structure under Allied Command Operations. Its headquarters is located in Norfolk, Virginia, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phillip G. Sawyer</span> United States Navy Vice admiral

Phillip Grayson Sawyer is a retired vice admiral in the United States Navy, who served as the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans and Strategy from October 10, 2019, to August 6, 2021. He previously served as commander for naval mine and anti-submarine warfare, and commander of United States Seventh Fleet, stationed at Japan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frank D. Whitworth</span> U.S. Navy admiral

Frank Dixon Whitworth III is an active duty United States Navy vice admiral and career intelligence officer who serves as the eighth director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency since June 3, 2022. He most recently served as the Director for Intelligence of the Joint Staff.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daryl Caudle</span> U.S. Navy admiral

Daryl Lane Caudle is a United States Navy admiral who is the 35th commander of United States Fleet Forces Command since December 7, 2021. He most recently served as commander of Naval Submarine Forces (COMSUBFOR), Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic (COMSUBLANT) and Commander, Allied Submarine Command (ASC). As COMSUBFOR, he was the undersea domain lead, and is responsible for the submarine force's strategic vision. As COMSUBLANT, he commanded all Atlantic-based U.S. submarines, their crews and supporting shore activities. These responsibilities also include duties as commander, Task Force (CTF) 114, CTF 88, and CTF 46. As commander, Allied Submarine Command, he was the principal undersea warfare advisor to all North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) strategic commanders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William J. Houston</span> U.S. Navy admiral

William Joseph Houston is a United States Navy vice admiral who served as commander of the Naval Submarine Forces, Submarine Force Atlantic and Allied Submarine Command from 2021 to 2023. He most recently served as Director of the Undersea Warfare Division. Previously, he was the Director of Plans and Operations of the United States Naval Forces Europe-Africa, Deputy Commander of the United States Sixth Fleet, and the Commander of Submarine Group 8.

References

  1. 1 2 "Certificate of Birth". Births, 1864-2016. No. 78915. Richmond, Virginia: Virginia Department of Health. 1962.
  2. Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy on Active Duty. Bureau of Naval Personnel. October 1, 1990. p. 96. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  3. Mahshie, Abraham (December 17, 2021). "Adm. Grady Confirmed as Joint Chiefs Vice Chair, Filling Monthlong Vacancy". Air Force Magazine. Archived from the original on 2021-12-18. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  4. 1 2 Macchietto, Brooke (May 1, 2021). "FLEET FORCES COMMANDER BECOMES NAVY'S 'OLD SALT'". U.S. Fleet Forces Command. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
  5. "University of Notre Dame du Lac 1984 Commencement | May 18–20" (PDF). p. 31. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  6. Admiral Christopher Grady ‘84 – Notre Dame Day 2018
  7. "Admiral Christopher W. Grady". US Navy. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  8. LaGrone, Sam (October 28, 2016). "Vice Adm. Grady Takes Command of U.S. 6th Fleet". USNI News. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  9. Wyland, Scott (March 1, 2018). "Franchetti takes command of 6th Fleet". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  10. Flag Officer Announcement – October 17, 2017
  11. PN1122 — Vice Adm. Christopher W. Grady — Navy
  12. Flag Officer Announcement – February 28, 2018
  13. PN1667 — Vice Adm. Christopher W. Grady — Navy
  14. US Navy Biography – Admiral Christopher W. Grady
  15. – Grady's Bio
  16. US Fleet Forces Commander Designated as NAVSTRAT, JFMCC STRAT
  17. "Flag Officer Announcement". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 2021-11-02.
  18. 1 2 "PN1328 — Adm. Christopher W. Grady — Navy". congress.gov. November 1, 2021. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  19. "Nomination - Grady (Postponed)". US Senate Committee on Armed Services. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  20. Mahshie, Abraham (December 20, 2021). "Adm. Christopher W. Grady Sworn in as Vice Chairman of Joint Chiefs". Air Force Magazine. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  21. "Christine Grady, family knowledge and cuisine specialist", MilitaryNews.com
  22. "Admiral Grady Receives Rev. William Colby Award". DVIDS. Retrieved 2021-07-16.
  23. Christopher W. Grady (8 December 2021). U.S. Fleet Forces Change of Command. USS George H.W. Bush: U.S. Fleet Forces Command. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
Military offices
Preceded by Director of Maritime Operations of the United States Pacific Fleet
2011–2014
Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander of Carrier Strike Group 1
2014–2015
Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander of Naval Surface Force Atlantic
2015–2016
Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander of the United States Sixth Fleet and Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO
2016–2018
Succeeded by
Preceded by Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
2018
Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander of the United States Fleet Forces Command
2018–2021
Succeeded by
Preceded by Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
2021–present
Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded byas former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (2019–2023) Order of precedence of the United States
as Vice Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Succeeded byas Chief of Space Operations