Grierson becomes sergeant first class at chapel

Family and friends smiled and shared stories from the pews of Bicentennial Chapel as Staff Sgt. Brenton Grierson was promoted to sergeant first class during a ceremony Aug. 5 in the sanctuary.

Garrison Chaplain (Maj.) Kirby Vidrine oversaw the ceremony and prayed over Grierson and his wife, Rochelle, along with their daughters Kalani, 3, and Malia, 2.

“This is a great day,” Sgt. Maj. Joe Stanfield, of Army Materiel Command, said. “I don’t think too many people understand the importance of making sergeant first class in the Chaplains Corps. This is the only position that we have within our entire corps at the installation level where you are the supervisor of multiple religious affairs specialists.”

Stanfield, originally from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, stressed how important the job was for Redstone Arsenal.

Grierson’s job description is diverse.

“My current responsibilities at the chapel are management of NAF (non-appropriated) funding, ensuring contractors at the chapel are paid, management of the preparation for all religious services and RSO (Religious Support Office) events,” Grierson said. “Also, management of the RSO Operations section, management of the RSO Funds Technician section, management of RSO administrative files and books, RSO NAF and APF property book and hand receipt holder, management of RSO Borrowed Military Manpower teams for Gate 9, RSO unit safety officer, development and training for all religious affairs specialists on installation, and knowledge management for the RSO.”

“It is a key developmental position. Why? Because you impact the entire installation,” Stanfield said. “It’s not just about the Garrison. It’s about the hospital. It’s about the other organizations that are on the installation that you help provide religious support for.”

The family was all smiles with the two girls wriggling around in the pews watching dad receive this promotion after 16 years in the Army.

“He’s a great Soldier,” Rochele said. “He takes care of us, and he does everything to help the family. He always asks me for my input. We do a great job working together. We’ve been waiting for this for a while.”