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AER leader visits native Alabama to support Soldiers

By Eric SchultzSeptember 25, 2024

Army Emergency Relief CEO and retired Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Grinston speaks to Redstone Senior Commander Lt. Gen. Chris Mohan on Sept. 19 at Redstone Arsenal.
Army Emergency Relief CEO and retired Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Grinston speaks to Redstone Senior Commander Lt. Gen. Chris Mohan on Sept. 19 at Redstone Arsenal. (Photo Credit: Eric Schultz) VIEW ORIGINAL

Army Emergency Relief CEO and retired Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Grinston shook hands and spoke about his new role with AER during a barbecue Sept. 19 at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.

Grinston, a Jasper native, spoke about the importance of AER to Soldiers and the Army as a whole.

“The life of being a Soldier is they’ll put you some place that’s far away from Jasper, Alabama as possible without leaving the U.S.,” he said. “My first duty station was Seattle.”

“We help those Soldiers, who are right now out there on the front lines, if they need help with financial assistance,” the 30-year Army veteran, said. “They can come to AER and get help. We don’t wait until they’re wounded, we don’t wait until they’re out of the military to help them. AER helps those active right now who are willing to go out and do those missions day in and day out.”

Grinston pointed out the life of a Soldier often comes with financial stress and AER can help.

“How do we alleviate the stress of being away from your family?” he asked. “All those things that come with the life of being a Soldier sometimes comes with financial stress.

“One day you’re going to have to fight for your country. We don’t want them to have that stress,” Grinston said. “That’s what AER does. Last year, we helped 30,000 Soldiers, retirees, their families and surviving spouses with assistance.”

Grinston, the first noncommissioned officer to lead AER in its 81-year history, has embraced his new role as CEO and director after assuming the job Jan. 1.

As the Army’s 16th sergeant major of the Army, Grinston was a big advocate of Army Emergency Relief and its mission to help Soldiers and families struggling with financial distress. He served on the organization’s board of managers for seven years, beginning when he was the senior enlisted leader for Army Forces Command and later as sergeant major of the Army, according to the Association of the U.S. Army website.

“I found my calling after leaving the Army,” Grinston said. “I get to help Soldiers and their families when they need it. I can’t think of a better thing and a better job to have as the new CEO for Army Emergency Relief.

“I say this with all my heart,” he said. “I was in the Army for 36 years; my hometown and my state supported me as a person and a Soldier. That’s why I’m excited to be here with you tonight because I’m in my home state.

“This community has been super supportive. I can say the whole state has been supportive of Soldiers, because I’m from Alabama and I’ve seen it.”