Do the right thing, even if you never get the credit. That mindset guided a 36-year Army career and continues to drive service beyond the uniform.

In this episode of the Tango Tango podcast, host Lloyd Knight speaks with retired Sergeant Major of the Army Tony Grinston, who now serves as CEO of Army Emergency Relief. He reflects on growing up in Jasper, Alabama, joining the Army for a two-year enlistment, and serving more than three decades in uniform, including multiple combat deployments and leadership at the highest enlisted level.

They discuss his path to becoming the 16th Sergeant Major of the Army, the demands of advising senior leaders and testifying before Congress, and his approach to tackling suicide, sexual assault, and quality of life by improving how the Army treats its people. Grinston also shares his transition out of uniform, his role leading Army Emergency Relief, and why continuing to serve off the battlefield remains his greatest calling.

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Intro

(00:33) Welcome to Tango Tango with Tony Grinston

(01:48) Growing up in Jasper, Alabama

(05:26) From college scholarships to Army enlistment

(07:05) The unexpected path to SMA

(09:50) Choosing artillery over an infantry career path

(11:21) Fort Sill basic training shock

(16:01) Earning a degree during deployments

(19:55) Combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan

(21:12) Inside the SMA selection process

(24:21) Addressing suicide and linked Army challenges

(27:25) Family sacrifices behind the promotion

(30:02) Public scrutiny and protecting the family

(33:48) Helping soldiers with immediate impact

(36:48) Securing barracks funding for soldiers

(42:11) From Army service to AER leadership

(47:02) Emergency grants for military families

Additional Links & Resources:

1. Learn more about Tango Tango: https://supplychainnow.com/program/tango-tango
2. Connect with Lloyd Knight: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lloydknight
3. Connect with Tony Grinston: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-grinston/
4. Learn more about Army Emergency Relief: https://www.armyemergencyrelief.org/
5. Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk

Tango Tango is proudly sponsored by Supply Chain Now. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/next-mission-sergent-major-army-ceo-army-emergency-relief-2tt4

In this powerful episode of The Tango Tango Podcast, we sit down with Kevin Miller, a U.S. Army veteran and President of the Georgia Veterans Day Parade, to explore a journey defined by service, resilience, and community.

Kevin shares his story from growing up in rural Franklin, Pennsylvania, to enlisting in the Army and training at Fort Benning during Desert Shield. He reflects on serving with the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea near the DMZ, and how that experience shaped his pride in military service and the U.S.–Korea alliance.

The conversation takes a deeply moving turn as Kevin recounts surviving the tragic Green Ramp disaster at Fort Bragg—an event that tested his strength and forever changed his life. He opens up about recovery, brotherhood, and the extraordinary support of the military community.

After transitioning to civilian life, Kevin found new purpose in Atlanta, becoming a driving force behind the Georgia Veterans Day Parade and working with the Korea Defense Veterans Association. His mission: honor those who served, inspire future generations, and help veterans thrive beyond uniform.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. What life is really like near the DMZ in Korea
2. The untold story of the Green Ramp tragedy
3. How veterans rebuild after trauma
4. Why community and camaraderie matter after service
5. How Kevin is preserving veterans’ legacy in Georgia

If you’re passionate about veteran stories, military history, leadership, and service beyond the battlefield, this episode is for you.

Additional Links & Resources:

1. Connect with Kevin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-l-miller-ab68257/
2. Georgia Veterans Day Parade: gvda.org
3. Korea Defense Veterans Association: kdva.vet
4. Learn more about Tango Tango: https://supplychainnow.com/program/tango-tango
5. Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/about
6. Connect with Lloyd Knight: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lloydknight
7. Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com
8. Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk

Tango Tango is proudly sponsored by Supply Chain Now. This episode is...

On this episode of the Tango Tango Podcast, host Lloyd Knight sits down with Army veteran and Washington Tattoo CEO Mark Reilly for an inspiring conversation about service, music, leadership, and healing.

Mark shares his journey from growing up as a talented young musician in New York to serving in the U.S. Army’s prestigious Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps. Along the way, he reflects on performing on international stages, representing the military through music, and navigating the transition from uniform to civilian leadership.

The conversation dives deep into the Washington Tattoo’s powerful mission to support veteran mental health through music wellness — a unique, community-driven approach that complements traditional care and creates meaningful connections for those who’ve served.

Mark also discusses the organization’s role in America 250, helping celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary through music, service, and remembrance.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. How music shaped Mark’s military and post-service career
2. What life is like in elite military music units
3. How music wellness supports veteran mental health
4. The vision behind the Washington Tattoo
5. Why America 250 matters to veterans and their communities

If you’re passionate about veterans’ stories, creative healing, and leadership after service, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Additional Links & Resources:

1. Connect with Mark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmarkreilly
2. Learn more about Washington Tattoo: https://www.thewashingtontattoo.com/
3. Learn more about Tango Tango: https://supplychainnow.com/program/tango-tango
4. Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/about
5. Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com
6. Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk

Tango Tango is proudly sponsored by Supply Chain Now. This episode is hosted by Lloyd Knight and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: http://supplychainnow.com/from-old-guard-world-stage-life-precision-purpose-2tt2