Command Sgt. Maj. Grady Blue, Jr., entered the United States Army on September 13, 1977. He attended Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sill, Okla. He has a total of 33 years in the United States Army. Blue grew up in Linden, N.C. He received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Shaw University and graduate degree in counseling from Webster University. He is a Licensed Certified Addiction Specialist and Certified Clinical Supervisor with the North Carolina Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board. Blue is the superintendent of a minimum security prison where he is responsible for inmates who have been incarcerated for drug related charges. Blue served nine years on active duty in the 82nd Airborne Division at Ft. Bragg, N.C. During this time he served in the 1/320th Field Artillery. On May 17, 1985, Blue transferred to Korea where he was assigned to Camp Red Cloud for one year. He transferred back to Ft. Bragg, then attended Drill Sergeant School at Fort Sill, where he graduated with honors. Blue was promoted to command sergeant major on August 3, 2003, and assigned to 6-80th TASS (PS) in Richmond, Va. He was transferred to the 8002nd Training Detachment Drill Sergeant School as the Commandant on March 5, 2005. Blue was selected as the command sergeant major of 3rd BDE 98th Training Division on October 1, 2007 and as 98th Training Division (IET) command sergeant major on February 5, 2011. He served two combat tours (Grenada and Desert Shield/Desert Storm) both with the 82nd Airborne Division. Blue’s military education include the Sergeants Major Academy, Battle Focused Instructor Training Course, First Sergeant Course, Drill Sergeant School, Advanced Non-Commissioned Officers Course, Basic Non-Commissioned Officers Course and Primary Leadership Development Course. Blue’s awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal with three Bronze Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Army Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon with numeral 4 device, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Drill Sergeant and Airborne badges. He and his wife Mable reside in Dunn, N.C. They have two daughters and one grandson.