Great Power Competition: A Maritime Century

On February 4, 2020, the Intelligence Studies Project, the Clements Center for National Security, and the Strauss Center for International Security and Law hosted Admiral Chris Grady, commander of the United States Fleet Forces Command, for a talk on “Great Power Competition: A Maritime Century” at the University of Texas.

BIOGRAPHY

Admiral Chris Grady is a native of Newport, Rhode Island. He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and was commissioned an ensign through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps program. Grady is a distinguished graduate of Georgetown University, where he earned a Master of Arts in National Security Studies while concurrently participating as a fellow in Foreign Service at the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service. He is also a distinguished graduate of the National War College earning a Master of Science in National Security Affairs.

In his most recent assignment, he was the commander of the U.S. 6th Fleet and of the Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO while simultaneously serving as the deputy commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe and U.S. Naval Forces Africa. Grady’s previous command assignments include Carrier Strike Group 1/Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group; Destroyer Squadron 22; USS Cole (DDG 67); and Mine Countermeasures Rotational Crew Echo in USS Chief (MCM 14) and USS Ardent (MCM 12).

Ashore, Grady served in numerous policy, strategy, legislative and operations staff and aide billets with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Chief of Naval Operations staff, and Chief of Legislative Affairs. Additionally, he served as the deputy executive secretary of the National Security Council in the White House. Additional flag assignments include commander of the Naval Surface Force Atlantic and director of the Maritime Operations Center (N2/3/5/7) for the commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Additional sea tours early in his career include USS Moosbrugger (DD 980) and USS Princeton (CG 59).

His decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat “V,” and other personal, joint, service, unit, and campaign awards. Grady is a joint specialty officer.