Christopher W. Grady
Christopher Watson Grady (born November 28, 1962)[1][2] is a United States Navy admiral who is currently serving as the 12th vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff since December 20, 2021.[3]
Christopher W. Grady
November 28, 1962
Portsmouth, Virginia, U.S.
1984–present
Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
United States Fleet Forces Command
United States Naval Forces Northern Command
United States Naval Forces Strategic Command
Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO
United States Sixth Fleet
Carrier Strike Group 1
Destroyer Squadron 22
USS Cole (DDG 67)
USS Ardent (MCM 12)
USS Chief (MCM 14)
Grady most recently served as the commander of United States Fleet Forces Command and United States Naval Forces Northern Command from May 2018 to December 2021, with additional duties as commander of United States Naval Forces Strategic Command and Joint Force Maritime Component Commander from February 2019. He previously served as commander of the United States Sixth Fleet, commander of Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, deputy commander of United States Naval Forces Europe - Naval Forces Africa and Joint Force Maritime Component Commander Europe from October 2016 to March 2018.
A 1984 graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Grady was commissioned into the Navy via the Naval Reserve Officers' Training Corps program. He is now the Navy's "Old Salt", its longest-serving surface warfare officer on active duty, having received the title and accompanying trophy from Admiral Philip S. Davidson on April 30, 2021.[4]
In addition to the below, the University of Notre Dame Alumni Board presented Grady with the Rev. William Corby, C.S.C., Award on September 28, 2019. Established in 1985, the award is conferred on alumni who have distinguished themselves in military service.[22]