Today's Featured Biography
Billy Graves
Billy J. Graves, (First Sergeant-retired), having served 32 years of combined service. Born and raised in Fort Myers, FL. He has deployed five times in support of the U.S. War on Terrorism, including the countries of Iraq, Afghanistan (5 times, 3 as a DoD Civilian Engineer), and Kuwait.
Bill Graves, an Eagle Scout and graduate of Fort Myers Senior High School (class of 1979), holds a Bachelor’s degree in Science, with an emphasis in Criminal Justice-Homeland Security, from Grantham University. A Master’s degree in Theological Studies, from the Urshan Graduate School of Theology. A Master’s Certificate in Geospatial Information Science and Technology from the University of Mississippi. Currently, a 3rd-year doctoral student at Grand Canyon University pursuing a Ph.D. in General Psychology with an emphasis in Organizational and Institutional Psychology.
He is a certified DAWIA level 2 Facilities Engineer with an emphasis in acquisitions. His military education includes: Northern Warfare Junior Leader’s Course (NWTC) Fort Greely, Basic Noncommissioned Officers Course, Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center, Advanced Noncommissioned Officers Course, First Army Observer Controller Academy, Structured Self-Development Level 4, and Company Commander and First Sergeant Pre-Command Course. Private Pilot Single engine, fixed wing land, high performance/complex, and Advance Ground Instructor (AGI).
His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal; Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster; Army Commendation Medal (two oak leaf clusters); Army Achievement Medal; Army Commander’s Award for Civilian Service with one oak leaf cluster; Army Achievement Medal for Civilian Service; Global War on Terrorism Civilian Service Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal; Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (two oak leaf clusters); Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal; National Defense Service Medal (2nd award); Afghanistan Campaign Medal (one service star); Iraq Campaign Medal (one service star); War on Terrorism Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal; Armed Forces Reserve Medal (Bronze hourglass, “M” device, 3rd award); Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon; NATO Medal (ISAF, 4th award); Florida National Guard Active Service Military Ribbon; Army Superior Unit Award. He also holds the Combat Action Badge, the Pathfinder Badge, Basic Parachutist Badge, Senior Naval Parachutist Badge, Artic Tab, Expert Marksmanship Badge (Pistol and Auto Rifle), the U.S. Army Engineer de Fleury Medal (Bronze), and the German Armed Forces Marksmanship Badge (Gold) & German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (Silver).
Employed by the Department of the Army, United States Army Garrison Fort Gordon, GA as the Real Property Accountable Officer (GS12). Bill Graves serves as a senior technical expert in all matters related to the acquisition, utilization, and disposal of real property. Responsible for program direction, planning, management, and administration of the installation's real property inventory. Overall responsible for accurate real property data in the General Fund Enterprise Business System (GFEBS) for real property assets in excess of $12 billion and 55,596 acres.
As a volunteer, he serves as the Advancement Committee Chairman, and Merit Badge Counselor for the Boy Scouts of America. He is a Master Mason, Haines City Lodge 219, Royal Arch, Mark Mason, and Knight Templar, York Rite; The Illustrious Order of the Red Cross, The Order of Knights of Malta, and The Order of the Temple in Yuma, AZ.
Bill Graves is married. He and his wife, Opal, have four sons and three daughters, nine grandchildren, and two dogs.
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