Colonel John “Eddie” Gray Incoming Commander, 7th TB(X), XVIII Airborne Corps A native of Lake Alfred, Florida, COL Gray graduated from the University of South Florida and Army ROTC in 2001. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Management and was commissioned in the Regular Army as a Transportation Officer. In 2017 he earned his Master’s Degree in Environmental Management, and in 2021 his Master’s Degree in Joint Campaign Planning and Strategy upon graduation from the Joint Advanced Warfighting School (JAWS) of the National Defense University at Norfolk Naval Base, Virginia. His additional military education includes the Transportation Officer Basic Course, the Combined Logistics Captain’s Career Course, the Intermediate Level Education Course, Staticline Jumpmaster Course, Aeriel Delivery of Materiel Officer’s Course, and the Joint Advanced Warfighting School (JAWS).
COL Gray’s assignments include Platoon Leader and Company Executive Officer 512th DS Maintenance Company, Platoon Leader 68th Transportation Company, Germany and Iraq (2002 – 2005). 142nd CSB Operations Officer; Commander, 603rd Transportation Company; Battalion S4 142nd CSSB, Fort Johnson (formerly Polk), Louisiana and Iraq (2005-2009). G4/J35 LOG Planner, XVIII Airborne Corps/US Forces-Iraq; Battalion XO, 82nd Special Troops Battalion; XO to the Commanding General of 1 st TSC, Fort Liberty (formerly Bragg), North Carolina, Iraq, and Afghanistan (2010-2014). He then served as Support Operations Officer (SPO), 524 th CSSB, 45th Sustainment Brigade, 8 th Theater Sustainment Command, and transitioned to the 25th Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade and served as the SPO, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii (2014-2016). COL Gray was subsequently selected as the XO to the Executive Deputy Commanding General, Army Materiel Command, Huntsville, Alabama for one year before moving back to Fort Liberty. Upon arrival in North Carolina, he served as the SPO, 528th Special Operations Command Sustainment Brigade (ABN), 1st Special Forces Command, before assuming command of 189th CSSB, 82nd Airborne Division, and followed by duties as the G4, 82nd Airborne Division (2018-2021). Following the completion of Senior Service College, COL Gray served as the Director of Sustainment, Combined Joint Task Force – Operation INHERENT RESOLVE responsible for the CJ1, CJ4, CJ8, CJENG, and CJ45 Sustainment Plans for Kuwait, Iraq, and Syria (2022-2023). His most recent assignment was G3/5/7 Chief of Operations, Futures & Concepts Center under Army Futures Command at Joint Base LangleyEustis.
COL Gray’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal (w/OLC), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (w/5OLC), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (w/3OLC), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (w/CS), Iraq Campaign Medal (w/4CS), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals, the NATO Medal (w/ISAF clasp), Joint Meritorious Unit Award (w/2OLC), Meritorious Unit Citation (w/2OLC), Army Superior Unit Award (w/OLC), the Army Rigger, Master Parachutist, Pathfinder, and Combat Action Badges. He has been inducted into the Distinguished Order of Saint Christopher for his service in the Transportation Corps.
COL Gray also earned his French and Canadian Parachutist Badges. COL Gray is married, has two children, and three dogs.