{"id":310263,"date":"2024-10-24T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-10-24T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=310263"},"modified":"2024-10-25T01:49:55","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T01:49:55","slug":"passing-the-torch-command-sgt-maj-ronald-graves-on-leadership-legacy-and-family","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=310263","title":{"rendered":"Passing the Torch: Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald Graves on Leadership, Legacy, and Family"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
\n
\n <\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>

\n 1 \/ 9<\/span>
\n
\n Show Caption +<\/span>
\n Hide Caption \u2013<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n
\n Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald Graves, left, senior enlisted leader of U.S. Army South (USARSOUTH), and his wife, Anna, pose for a photo at the Joint Base San Antonio 249th Army Ball in San Antonio, Texas, June 14, 2024. Graves said his wife not only supported him in his career, but the communities and Families of the Soldiers he served with. (Courtesy photo)
\n (Photo Credit: Army South Courtesy Asset)<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n \"Passing
\n <\/a>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n 2 \/ 9<\/span>
\n
\n Show Caption +<\/span>
\n Hide Caption \u2013<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n
\n Pvt. Ronald Graves, poses for the first official photo of his career during basic combat training at Fort Knox, Ky., 1995. Graves\u2019 30 years in the U.S. Army continued his family legacy of service, following in the footsteps of several of his uncles and his grandfather who served in World War II. (Courtesy photo)
\n (Photo Credit: Army South Courtesy Asset)<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n \"Passing
\n <\/a>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n 3 \/ 9<\/span>
\n
\n Show Caption +<\/span>
\n Hide Caption \u2013<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n
\n 1st Sgt. Ronald Graves, company first sergeant of Grim Troop, 2nd Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, poses for a photo at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, 2010. Graves\u2019 30 years in the U.S. Army continued his family legacy of service, following in the footsteps of several of his uncles and his grandfather who served in World War II. (Courtesy photo)
\n (Photo Credit: Sgt. Joshua Taeckens)<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n \"Passing
\n <\/a>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n 4 \/ 9<\/span>
\n
\n Show Caption +<\/span>
\n Hide Caption \u2013<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n
\n Pvt. Ronald Graves, armor crewman with 2nd Battalion, 24th Armor Regiment, stands at parade rest at Fort Riley, Kansas, 1995. Graves\u2019 30 years in the U.S. Army continued his family legacy of service, following in the footsteps of several of his uncles and his grandfather who served in World War II. (Courtesy photo)
\n (Photo Credit: Army South Courtesy Asset)<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n \"Passing
\n <\/a>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n 5 \/ 9<\/span>
\n
\n Show Caption +<\/span>
\n Hide Caption \u2013<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n
\n Pfc. Ronald Graves, armor crewman with 2nd Battalion, 24th Armor Regiment, poses for a photo while visiting Family in Tipler, Wis., 1996. Graves was raised in the small town of Tipler, Wis., in a tight-knit, blue-collar family, and he grew up with a deep respect for service and hard work. (Courtesy photo)
\n (Photo Credit: Army South Courtesy Asset)<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n \"Passing
\n <\/a>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n 6 \/ 9<\/span>
\n
\n Show Caption +<\/span>
\n Hide Caption \u2013<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n
\n Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald Graves, former senior enlisted leader of U.S. Army South, receives an American Flag during his retirement ceremony at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, October 24, 2024. Graves\u2019 30 years in the U.S. Army continued his family legacy of service, following in the footsteps of several of his uncles and his grandfather who served in World War II (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Joshua Taeckens)
\n (Photo Credit: Sgt. Joshua Taeckens)<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n \"Passing
\n <\/a>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n 7 \/ 9<\/span>
\n
\n Show Caption +<\/span>
\n Hide Caption \u2013<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n
\n Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald Graves, former senior enlisted leader of U.S. Army South, speaks to Soldiers, friends and Family members during his retirement ceremony at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, October 24, 2024. Graves\u2019 30 years in the U.S. Army continued his family legacy of service, following in the footsteps of several of his uncles and his grandfather who served in World War II (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Joshua Taeckens)
\n (Photo Credit: Sgt. Joshua Taeckens)<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n \"U.S.
\n <\/a>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n 8 \/ 9<\/span>
\n
\n Show Caption +<\/span>
\n Hide Caption \u2013<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n
\n U.S. Army South incoming Senior Enlisted Advisor, Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald J. Graves, stands in front of a formation at a change of responsibility ceremony at JBSA – Fort Sam Houston, April 15, 2022. \u201cI look forward to continuing [Command Sgt. Major Trevor C. Walker\u2019s] great initiatives and efforts to take care of the Army South Soldiers and Families as well as building partner nation relationships and training alongside our Central and South American and our Caribbean partnerships,\u201d said Graves. \u201cOur mission is vital to our National Security.\u201d Graves, a native of Tipler Wisconsin, joined the U.S. Army in 1995 and most recently served as the command sergeant major for the Army Test and Evaluation Command at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Joshua Taeckens)
\n (Photo Credit: Spc. Joshua Taeckens)<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n \"U.S.,
\n <\/a>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n 9 \/ 9<\/span>
\n
\n Show Caption +<\/span>
\n Hide Caption \u2013<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n
\n U.S. Army South Senior Enlisted Advisor, Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald Graves, speaks to participants of the 17th iteration of Programa Integral para Suboficiales de Alta Jerarqu\u00eda (PISAJ) at U.S. Southern Command headquarters in Miami, Fla., November 18, 2022. PISAJ is a military-to-military engagement conducted semi-annually with the Colombian army and other invited participants as a part of a biannual agreed-to-action between the U.S. and Colombia focused on the professional development of NCOs and designed to increase the capacity and regional collaboration between both militaries. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Joshua Taeckens)
\n (Photo Credit: Spc. Joshua Taeckens)<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas \u2013 In a career spanning three decades, Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald Graves has worn many hats. From serving in leadership roles of platoons through major commands such as U.S. Army South, and even in the distinguished halls of the Pentagon, Graves\u2019 journey through the Army has been defined by one consistent mission\u2014developing the next generation of leaders.<\/p>\n

As he nears the end of his decorated service, Graves looks back on his career with pride, but it\u2019s the future\u2014both for the Army and for his Family\u2014that excites him most.<\/p>\n

How it All Started<\/p>\n

Graves\u2019 path to leadership began with a pivotal decision. His decision to join the Army was inspired by his upbringing. Raised in the small town of Tipler, Wis. in a tight-knit, blue-collar family, he grew up with a deep respect for service and hard work.<\/p>\n

While he seemed destined to continue one of the family businesses, life had other plans for him.<\/p>\n

He had plans to attend college but they were postponed his senior year of high school when he learned that he was going to become a father.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy daughter was born right after I graduated, and I thought that I should probably stay home,\u201d Graves recollected. \u201cBut the more I thought about my future and having a little girl to support, I wanted something that had benefits and a retirement.\u201d<\/p>\n

On top of that, his family name was well known in his town. Several of his uncles had served in the military, but it was his grandfather\u2019s decorated World War II service that really influenced his decision to serve.<\/p>\n

Graves continued that lineage of service by enlisting in the Army as an armor crewman on May 4, 1995.<\/p>\n

Leadership Lessons from Children<\/p>\n

Graves grew up fast as a young father and leader, and he said having children at such a young age assisted him in formulating his approach to leadership. But it didn\u2019t happen suddenly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI grew up as a young leader treating everyone the same,\u201d he reflected. \u201cSo, as I started to program myself to the next level of leadership, I got to learn a lot about people.\u201d<\/p>\n

Graves analyzed his experiences in parenting and leading Soldiers and saw similarities. He had an epiphany and changed his approach to leadership.<\/p>\n

\u201cI realized early on that I couldn\u2019t treat my son the same way I treated my daughter,\u201d Graves said. \u201cThey had different personalities, different motivators, and that\u2019s the same with Soldiers. You have to learn what drives each person if you want to lead them effectively.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have to understand people before you can lead them. That\u2019s true whether you\u2019re talking about your kids or your team in the Army.\u201d<\/p>\n

From Tactical to Strategic Leadership<\/p>\n

Graves didn\u2019t always have the big picture view that comes with decades of experience. Early in his career, like many Soldiers, his focus was at the tactical level.<\/p>\n

As a platoon sergeant and tank master gunner, he was in the thick of the everyday grind of military operations. But as his roles expanded, so did his perspective.<\/p>\n

As Graves moved through the ranks and took on higher level assignments at battalion, brigade, and corps levels, he began to see the Army as more than just a series of tactical maneuvers. It was a complex organization with strategic goals and business operations, all of which needed to work in harmony to succeed.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, when I left [the] brigade [level] and went to the Pentagon, I was like, \u2018I’m a brigade sergeant major. I know the Army.\u2019\u201d he said before he let out a chuckle. \u201cI got to the Pentagon and realized I didn\u2019t understand half of what I thought I did.\u201d<\/p>\n

Graves\u2019 time on the Army staff at the Pentagon was a turning point. There, he saw firsthand the complexities of military operations at the highest level.<\/p>\n

Coupling the new strategic level of thinking with his past experiences at the tactical and operational levels, he was able to gain a whole new concept of how the Army functioned successfully.<\/p>\n

\u201cEach one of those opportunities to step a little bit out of my comfort zone and do something at a different level allowed me to complete my understanding of the organization,\u201d he said. \u201cOnce you understand what Soldiers and civilians at a command two or three layers above you are dealing with and really understand it, then you can solve problems up and down the chain of command.\u201d<\/p>\n

That broad understanding of the Army is something he continues to pass down to those he mentors today.<\/p>\n

A Family of Leaders<\/p>\n

The Graves Family has created its own small Army, united by shared values and service. Graves\u2019 daughter and her husband are both staff sergeants in the Army, while his son is also a staff sergeant, married to the daughter of two retired senior NCOs.<\/p>\n

He said that he takes immense pride in the intimate opportunities he has to professionally mentor his lineage.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe fact that my kids still come to me for guidance\u2014that tells me I must have done something right,\u201d Graves said with a grin. \u201cThat\u2019s one of the things I\u2019m most proud of.\u201d<\/p>\n

Even Graves\u2019 stepdaughter, though not in uniform, chose to serve as a civilian employee for the Department of Defense. Together, they\u2019ve built a network of support, growing together as leaders in their own right.<\/p>\n

On top of his Family members leading in uniform, Graves\u2019 wife, Anna, has consistently taken a leadership role or volunteered in the various communities she has been a part of with each of Graves\u2019 permanent change of station\u2019s.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhether it\u2019s volunteering with an Army organization, sitting on a scholarship review board or mentoring a junior Soldier\u2019s spouse, Anna is always setting an example for our Family and for the community,\u201d Ronald exclaimed. \u201cShe is always looking to contribute and support whatever organization we are serving no matter our location.\u201d<\/p>\n

Graves expressed his immense gratitude for the infinite loop of inspiration and support he has fostered in his Family.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have this entire Family of NCOs and leaders, and we all work together collectively to watch out for each other, grow, shape, develop each other for the next levels.\u201d Graves said. \u201cThat\u2019s what really motivates me.\u201d<\/p>\n

“It’s about building the next leader.”<\/p>\n

Graves\u2019 years in uniform have shaped one of his core beliefs: leadership is a responsibility not just to the mission, but to the people.<\/p>\n

“It\u2019s not about me, but about who comes next,” he said plainly. \u201cIt\u2019s constantly seeking out and seizing upon teachable moments to generate the leaders to make the Army better than it was for the last generation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Graves’ leadership style is rooted in mentorship. Whether he guided a young noncommissioned officer (NCO) or gave career advice to his own children\u2014two of whom are staff sergeants in the Army\u2014Graves focused on providing the tools and opportunities for others to grow.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve always felt that if you want to leave a lasting impact, you coach, teach, and mentor your replacement,\u201d he explained. \u201cIt\u2019s the Army\u2019s upward replacement pyramid of leaders, in that, for me to get to the next rank, it\u2019s my duty to help shape the person who\u2019s going to take over my position.\u201d<\/p>\n

What\u2019s Next?<\/p>\n

As Graves approaches the end of his military career, he\u2019s already exploring new opportunities. Through the Hiring Our Heroes program, which helps veterans transition into civilian leadership roles, Graves is preparing for life after the Army. But he\u2019s keeping his options open.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf the right opportunity in corporate America doesn\u2019t come along, I\u2019m ready to create my own path,\u201d he says. \u201cI\u2019m not done yet. I\u2019m always going to find a way to lead, whether that\u2019s in a business or something else.\u201d<\/p>\n

For Graves, leadership isn\u2019t tied to rank or uniform. It\u2019s about making an impact, no matter where you are.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt the end of the day, leadership is about helping others succeed,\u201d he says. \u201cThat\u2019s the legacy I want to leave behind.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Graves prepares to take off his uniform, one thing is certain: his legacy of leadership will continue to shape the Army for years to come\u2014not just through the Soldiers he\u2019s mentored, but through his own Family, who will carry the torch of military service and leadership into the future.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

1 \/ 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption \u2013 Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald Graves, left, senior enlisted leader of U.S. Army South (USARSOUTH), and his wife, Anna, pose for a photo at the Joint Base San Antonio 249th Army Ball in San Antonio, Texas, June 14, 2024. Graves said his wife not only supported him […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":310265,"comment_status":"close","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-310263","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/310263","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=310263"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/310263\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":310275,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/310263\/revisions\/310275"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/310265"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=310263"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=310263"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=310263"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}