CSM Graydon B. Griffin
Command Sergeant Major Graydon B. Griffin assumed responsibility as the 13th State Command Sergeant Major for the Arizona Army National Guard (AZ ARNG) on May 7th, 2023. He serves as the Land Component Commander’s principal military advisor on all enlisted matters affecting training, utilization, professional development and quality of life issues for Soldiers and their families.
His previous assignments include: Command Sergeant Major, 198th Regional Support Group, Operations Sergeant Major, 1-158 Infantry, Command Sergeant Major, 153rd Brigade Support Battalion, First Sergeant 3666 Support Maintenance Company, First Sergeant HHC 1-158 Infantry, First Sergeant C Co 1-158 Infantry, Effects NCO, targeting NCO, Platoon Sergeant, Company Fires NCO, Squad & Team Leader, Wheeled Vehicle Repairer, and Recovery NCO.
Command Sergeant Major Griffin deployed twice to Afghanistan, served on two federal border missions within Arizona, and later served on Counterdrug task force across multiple roles culminating as the Senior Enlisted Leader.
His military education includes the non-resident United States Army Sergeants Major Academy DL, NGB Counterdrug Senior Leader’s Course, Information Operations Capabilities, Application, and Planning (IOCAP), First Sergeant Course, Company Level Pre-Command Course, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, Resiliency Trainer Assistant, 13F Fire Support Sergeant ANCOC phases 1 & 2, 13F Fire Support Sergeant BNCOC phases 1 - 3, Joint Firepower Course, 13F Fire Support Specialist Course phases 1 & 2, Fiscal Law, NGB Counterdrug Counter-Threat Finance, NGB Counterdrug Criminal Analyst Phase 1 & 2, Company Intelligence Support Team, Primary Leadership Development Course, Airborne, Air Assault, Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape (SERE), and Wheeled Vehicle Repairer Advanced Individual Training.
Command Sergeant Major Griffin completed a Bachelor of Arts in Russian from Arizona State University and a Master’s in Business Administration in Global Management from Thunderbird. During his academic studies he won a year-long National Security Education Program scholarship to study language and Political Economy in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Command Sergeant Major Griffin’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal for service, Meritorious Service Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Medal (2nd Award), Global War on Terror Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 2 campaign stars, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device and silver hourglass, NCO Professional Development Ribbon with 5 device, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (2nd Award), Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon with 5 device, NATO ribbon (2nd Award), Meritorious Unit Citation, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist’s Badge, Air Assault Badge, and the Royal Thai Air Force Parachutist’s Badge.
Command Sergeant Major Griffin is married to Almagul, who is a native of Almaty, Kazakhstan. His wife, daughter Aylena, and son Ilyas reside in Chandler, Arizona.