Moral Leadership is a Force Multiplier
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In this insightful episode of the Faces of Leadership, host Michael Warren welcomes Colonel Grayson Story to discuss his incredible journey through more than 30 years of service in the United States Marine Corps. As a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Colonel Story recounts pivotal moments from his military career, including his assignment during the Iraq War, his leadership approach, and the invaluable life lessons he has learned. They explore topics such as the importance of team cohesion, shared hardships, maintaining moral courage, and the profound responsibility of leadership. Reflecting on both historical and recent global conflicts, Colonel Story provides a unique perspective on strategic planning and the essential human factors in military operations. This episode is not only a tribute to his service but also a deep dive into the essence of leadership and camaraderie.
Episode Guest
Grayson T. Story currently serves as a Team Lead and Strategic Planner, War Plans and Strategy Division, Operations and Readiness Directorate, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations (G-3), Headquarters, United States Army Materiel Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. He is also an Assistant Professor and Subject Matter Expert of National Security Studies with Liberty University, where he is privileged to teach online Intelligence and National Security courses.
Grayson is a native of southeast Michigan and is a graduate of John Glenn High School in Westland, Michigan. He entered service at 17 years old, reporting for induction on 2 July 1992. While at Annapolis, he majored in Political Science and played varsity Lightweight Football for the Navy Midshipmen. On 24 May 1996, he received a Commission as a Marine Corps Second Lieutenant, and was designated an Infantry Officer the following Summer. He served as a Platoon Commander, Rifle Company Executive Officer and a Company Commander in Second Battalion, Eighth Marine Regiment, and Regimental Intelligence (S-2) Officer, Sixth Marine Regiment, Second Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, deploying to Okinawa, South Korea, Haiti, Greece, Spain and several other locations. Following Armor Captains Career Course in Fort Knox, Kentucky, he served as a Fire Support Coordinator and Company Commander with First Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, First Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, California, deploying aboard Amphibious Task Force shipping to Kuwait and Iraq for Operations IRAQI FREEDOM I & II. Following completion of graduate studies in Monterey, California, Grayson served as a Ground Combat Element Analyst and Section Head, Program Assessment & Evaluation, Programs & Resources Department, Headquarters, Marine Corps at The Pentagon, deploying under United States Central Command for Operation ENDURING FREEDOM - Afghanistan. Following the deployment, he reported back to Second Marine Division as a Foreign Security Force Advisor, deploying again in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM - Afghanistan with the Afghan National Army 215th Corps Advisor Team. Upon return, he was made Officer-in-Charge of Second Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Second Marine Division. Following this assignment, he reported to Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command as the Training & Education Officer, deploying again in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM - Afghanistan with Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force - Afghanistan. Following this deployment, Grayson was assigned to United States Special Operations Command at Macdill Air Force Base, Tampa, Florida, from where he retired in August 2018 after 22 years, 3 years & 7 days of Marine Corps service.
Grayson is married to the former Emily Jo Hammond of Troy, Michigan. Emily is a Public School Special Educator and Education Specialist. Together they have three sons, Hayden, Griffin and Knox.
