America’s Soldiers: A Conversation with the Sergeant Major of the Army

Recognizing the evolving nature of America’s adversaries and future battlefields, the U.S. Army is undertaking a generational modernization effort.

Bradley Bowman — Senior Director of FDD’s Center on Military and Political Power — sat down with Michael Grinston, the 16th Sergeant Major of the Army to discuss what may be ahead.

Grinston is a veteran of Desert Storm and Desert Shield, Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn, Inherent Resolve, Enduring Freedom, and Kosovo … and has earned the Bronze Star — three times. He has led soldiers at every level.

And, more than thirty-two years after enlisting, Grinston is now the U.S. Army’s most senior Non-Commissioned Officer. He is the Army chief of staff’s top adviser on matters affecting the enlisted force.

Bradley and Sergeant Major Grinston also discuss the use of human shields by America’s adversaries, the state of individual and small unit training in the Army, the defense budget, and other issues on this special edition of Foreign Podicy.