CSM Ronald J. Graves is a native of Tipler, Wisconsin. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1995. Throughout his career, he has served in operational assignments in Kuwait, Iraq, and Korea.
After graduating OSUT, he was assigned as a Tank driver, loader and gunner in Delta Company 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor, Fort Riley KS. Following his time at Fort Riley, CSM Graves was assigned to Detachment 4, HQ Starc, Wisconsin Army National Guard as an AGR Recruiter/Career Counselor. After successful completion of his recruiting assignment, CSM Graves was then assigned to Bravo Company 1st Battalion 68th Armor and Charlie Company 1st Battalion 68th Armor, Fort Carson Colorado as a Tank Commander, where he deployed in support of an Intrinsic Action deployment to Kuwait which transitioned to operations in support of OEF. Immediately upon redeployment, CSM Graves was reassigned to USA NCOA/DSS, Fort Knox, KY as an NCOES (PLDC) Instructor. CSM Graves was assigned as a Platoon Sergeant in Apache Troop, 1st Squadron 3d ACR, Fort Carson, CO and deployed in support of OIF III. CSM Graves moved to Fort Hood, TX as the lead senior Non-Commissioned officer of the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment’s BRAC move where he served in a myriad of leadership positions, including Master Gunner/Operations NCO of 1st Squadron, 3d ACR, First Sergeant of Apache Troop, 1st Squadron, 3d ACR, Grim Troop, 2nd Squadron, 3d ACR and Headquarters Troop 2nd Squadron, 3d ACR and deployed in support of OIF 07-09 and OND 10-11. After his selection to the Sergeant’s Major Course CSM Graves served as an Operations NCO in 3d Cavalry Regiment and assisted in the conversion of the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment to the 3d Cavalry Regiment (SBCT). CSM Graves was assigned as the Operations Sergeant Major of the 3d Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood, TX. CSM Graves was selected to serve as Command Sergeant Major of 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 3ABCT, First Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, TX and deployed to Korea. CSM Graves was selected to serve as Command Sergeant Major of 2d Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2d Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis McChord, WA. SGM Graves was selected to serve as the Force Management Sergeant Major, Headquarters Department of the Army G-3/5/7, Washington D.C. CSM Graves was selected to serve as the Command Sergeant Major of Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC), Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD. CSM Graves assumed Responsibility as Command Sergeant Major, United States Army South.
CSM Graves’ military education includes all levels of the Noncommissioned Officer Education System, First Sergeant’s Course, the United States Army Sergeant’s Major Academy Non-resident, Command Sergeants Major Development Program (FO-BDE & BN), Nominative Leaders Course, Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Course I and II, Keystone Course, M1/M1A1 Abrams Master Gunner Course, M1A2 SEP Tank Maintainers Course, Basic Instructor Training Course, Master Driver Training Course, Defense Packaging of Hazardous Materials Course, and Combat Lifesavers Course.
CSM Graves’ awards and decorations include: the Legion Of Merit ( 2 OLC), Bronze Star Medal (2 OLC), the Meritorious Service Medal (with 1 OLC), the Army Commendation Medal (3 OLC), the Army Achievement Medal (1 Silver and 3 bronze OLC), the Valorous Unit Award (1 OLC), the Meritorious Unit Citation, the Armed Forced Expeditionary Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal (5 campaign stars), the Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terror Service Medal, the Korea Defense Service Metal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 6), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (Numeral 3), Valorous Unit Award (1 OLC), Meritorious Unit Citation, Combat Action Badge, Army Staff Badge, Master Gunner Identification Badge, and Drivers Badge (Wheeled). CSM Graves is also a recipient of the Armor Association’s Honorable Bronze Order of St. George, Infantry Association’s Honorable Order of St. Maurice (Legionnaire), The Ordinance Order of Samuel Sharp, the Draper Armor Leadership Award and has earned his Silver and Gold Cavalry Spurs.
CSM Graves is married and has have four children and two grandchildren.