Command Sergeant Major Grady Blue, Jr. was born and raised in Linden, North Carolina. He joined the Army on 13 September 1977 and attended Basic Combat Training andAdvanced Individual Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He served a total of 13 years, 8 months on active duty.
He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Shaw University and a 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. He is the CEO of Unlimited Access, Inc. Outpatient where he is responsible for the treatment for clients diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and Substance Abuse.
He served 9 years on active duty in the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He served in the 1/320th Field Artillery Battalion assigned in every position from ammunition bearer to Gunner Sergeant. He PCS to Korea and assigned to Camp Red Cloud (CRC) for one year. He returned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina then attended Drill Sergeant School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma where he graduated with honors.
He was promoted to Command Sergeant Major on 3 August 2003 and assigned to 6-80th TASS (PS), Richmond, Virginia. He was transferred to 80th Command Drill Sergeant School as the Commandant on 5 March 2005. He was selected as the Brigade CSM of 3rd BDE 98th Division on 1 October 2007 and 98th Division CSM on 5 February 2011. He has two combat tours (Grenada and Desert Shield/Desert Storm) both with the 82nd Airborne
Division.
His military education include the Primary Leadership Development Course, Basic Non-Commissioned Officers Course, Advanced Non-Commissioned Officers Course, Drill Sergeant School, First Sergeant Course, Battle Focused Instructor Training Course, United States Army Sergeant Major Academy and the United States Army War College Executive Leader Course.
His awards and decoration include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal with 3 Bronze Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Army Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon with 4 device, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Drill Sergeant and Airborne badge.
He and his wife Mable reside in Dunn, North Carolina. They have two daughters and two grandchildren.