Sergeant Major James K. Gray, a native of Eagle River, Alaska, enlisted in the United States Marine Corps out of Denver, Colorado, in April 1999. He began his journey at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, followed by Marine Combat Training at Camp Pendleton, California. He then advanced to the Field Artillery Cannon Crewman Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, earning the Military Occupational Specialty 0811.
Over the course of his distinguished career, Sergeant Major Gray has served in every tactical leadership position within the Field Artillery community, from Howitzer Section Chief to Battery Gunnery Sergeant. He has trained, certified, and deployed on multiple artillery systems including the M105 salute howitzer, M198, and the M777(A1/A2) platforms.
His operational assignments include service in 1st and 2nd Battalion, 11th Marines (Camp Pendleton, California), and 1st, 3rd, and 5th Battalion, 10th Marines (Camp Lejeune, North Carolina). As a Unit Senior Enlisted Leader, he contributed to developing the Marine Forces Reserve with the 4th Marine Division, serving as the Inspector-Instructor senior enlisted leader for 4th Combat Engineer Battalion, Charlie company, in Lynchburg, Virginia. He also expanded his impact beyond the division by serving in the aviation community with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172.
Sergeant Major Gray has held the Command Senior Enlisted Leader assignment in multiple commands, including the aviation command and control oganization, Marine Air Control Squadron 4 in Okinawa, Japan, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 533 in Beaufort, South Carolina, and currently postured forward deployed as the Sergeant Major of Marine Aircraft Group 12 in Iwakuni, Japan.
His service within the Marine Corps' supporting establishment includes assignments with Marine Corps Security Forces Cadre at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and Marine Corps Recruiting Command at Recruiting Station Denver, specifically as a Staff Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge at Recruiting Sub-Stations Colorado Springs North and South.
Sergeant Major Gray's extensive operational experience includes four deployments with Marine Expeditionary Units: the 31st MEU (twice), the 24th MEU—where he participated in the Non-Combatant Evacuation Operation in Beirut, Lebanon—and the 13th MEU. He has deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, serving with Regimental Combat Team 6 and 1, in Fallujah, Iraq, providing convoy security, and later as a fire and effects advisor in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He served in Operation Enduring Freedom as a Foreign Security Force Advisor throughout Kabul, Kandahar, Helmand, and Herat Provinces in Afghanistan. In both Iraq and Afghanistan advisory roles, he was placed at the forefront of coalition engagement, operating in partnership with the armed forces of Iraq, Afghanistan, Australia, Singapore, Croatia, Pakistan, Korea, Philippines, Japan, and Jordan national militaries.
His professional military education includes completion of the full Enlisted PME continuum from Corporals Course through the Commandant's Commandership Course. He is a graduate of the Senior Enlisted Professional Military Education Resident Course at Marine Corps Base Quantico, the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy (Class 71) at Fort Bliss, Texas, and the Expeditionary Warfare School Blended Seminar in Okinawa, Japan.
Sergeant Major Gray holds an Associate of Arts in Leadership Communication, a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership, and is currently completing a Master of Science in Strategic Leadership with a concentration in Crisis Management.
His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (third award), Navy Commendation Medal (third award), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (sixth award), and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. In recognition of his exceptional contributions to the Field Artillery community, he was inducted into the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara and awarded the corresponding medal.