Lieutenant Colonel Grant received his commission through the Platoon Leader’s Class after graduating from Colorado State University in 2006.
After TBS, he completed flight school, and in 2009 reported to VMMT-204, MCAS New River, North Carolina for initial training in the MV-22B Osprey. Subsequently, he served with VMM-266(REIN) as the Schedules and Training Officer, Aviation Safety Officer, NATOPS Instructor and Director of Safety. While at VMM-266(REIN) he deployed twice with the 26th MEU to CENTCOM in support of theater crisis response, Operations ENDURING FREEDOM, ODYSSEY DAWN, and UNIFIED PROTECTOR.
In 2014 Captain Grant reported as a plank-owner to VMM-764 aboard MCAS Miramar, CA as Pilot Training Officer and Assistant Operations Officer to transition the squadron and aircrew from the CH-46E to the MV-22B. During this tour, he graduated from the Weapons and Tactics Instructor course at Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One and served as a Flight Leadership and Standardization Evaluator and augment instructor pilot for every VMM in MAG-16 and MAG-39. Upon Moonlight’s attainment of full operational capability, he mobilized with the reserve staff then deployed with the squadron in support of II Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) for SPMAGTF-CR-AF 17.0-1.
In September of 2017 Major Grant reported to Naval Safety Command, Detachment Pensacola as the Investigations Instructor at the Navy and Marine Corps School of Aviation Safety (SAS). While at SAS he taught students in the ASO, Crew Resource Management, and Aviation Safety Command courses from every flying squadron in the Navy and Marine Corps. In addition, he served as the Human Factors representative to the Joint Service Safety Council. After completion of the Category II Refresh syllabus at VMMT-204, Major Grant reported to the Purple Foxes of VMM-364. He then deployed as Operations Officer in support of SPMAGTF-CR-CC 22.1-2. Based in Kuwait, Djibouti and Saudi Arabia, the Foxes supported CENTCOM and AFRICOM Operations INHERENT RESOLVE, SPARTAN SHIELD, ENDURING FREEDOM, and ALLIES REFUGE.
As the Plans Officer and Naval Integration Lead for ESG-3, Lieutenant Colonel Grant improved coordination and interoperability between Amphibious Forces, U.S. THIRD Fleet (C3F) and I MEF. He developed ESG-3 2023 and 2024 Campaign Plans that drove planning and execution for Exercise STEEL KNIGHT 23 and 24, Large Scale Exercise 23, Exercise PACIFIC SENTRY 23, ESG 360, and Exercise DAWN BLITZ that certified the ESG-3 staff to act as a Task Force lead in Exercise RIM OF THE PACIFIC 2024. As staff bridge between I MEF and C3F he ensured 3d MAW aircrew received opportunities for deck landing qualifications for the 31st MEU Unit Deployment Program, along with MAKIN ISLAND and BOXER Amphibious Ready Group deployments. As Action Officer for the LCS Concept of Employment, he synchronized efforts between the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory, I MEF, C3F and CNSP to improve teaming of ANGLICO, AH/UH-1s, and Independence Class Littoral Combat Ships in support of Stand in Forces facing pacing threats.
Lieutenant Colonel Grant holds a Master of Science with Distinction in Human Factors, specialized in Systems Engineering and is a graduate of the Weapons and Tactics Instructor, Crew Resource Management Instructor and Aviation Safety Officer Courses. His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (with two gold stars), and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.