CPT Michael E Cirillo is a native of Baltimore, Maryland. On April 28, 1991, he enlisted in the Army Reserves as a Combat Medic. He attended basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. After serving 4 years in the Reserves, CPT Cirillo decided to move to active Army. In February 1996, CPT Cirillo enlisted in the active Army as a Motor Transportation Operator.
CPT Cirillo attended Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as an Engineer Officer in April 2007. He served as a Vertical Construction Platoon Leader and later, the Executive Officer for Alpha Company, 46th Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy) at Fort Polk, Louisiana. CPT Cirillo deployed to Iraq in June 2008 to September 2009. After redeploying, CPT Cirillo attended the Engineers Captains’ Career Course at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.
His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Joint Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2 OLC); Army Achievement Medal (5 OLC); Good Conduct Medal (3rd Award); Humanitarian Service Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism Medal; Iraqi Campaign Medal with 2 Campaign Stars; Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon (2nd Award); Korean Service Medal; Presidential Service Badge; Parachutist Badge; Pathfinder Badge and French Army Parachutist Badge.
CPT Cirillo holds a Bachelors degree in Business Management and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Southern California.
First Sergeant Grandia entered the Army on 14 June 1995 and did Basic Combat Training at Ft Jackson, SC and then Advanced Individual Training at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD. He was awarded the MOS of 63Y Track Vehicle Mechanic and then served in the Minnesota Army Reserves for eight months before going on to active duty permanently. He then did One Station Unit Training at Ft Benning, GA and was awarded the MOS of 11B Infantryman.
1SG Grandia has held many Infantry positions to include Rifleman, Automatic Rifleman, Bradley Gunner, Team Leader, Bradley Commander, Squad Leader, and deployed as a Platoon Sergeant. He also served with the United States Army Recruiting Command (USAREC) as a detailed Recruiter. His Previous assignments include 1st BN 23rd INF (M) 2ID, Ft Lewis, WA; 1st BN 8th INF (M) 4ID, Ft Carson, CO; USAREC with duty in Boston, MA; 1st BN 6th INF, 1AD, Baumholder, Germany. 1SG Grandia has also deployed twice to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom where he served in Hit, Iraq and most recently in Sadr City, Baghdad.
1SG Grandia awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, two Meritorious Service Medals, eight Army Commendation Medals with one for Valor, six Army Achievement Medals, the Valorous Unit Award, the Meritorious Unit Award, the Naval Unit Commendation, the Army Superior Unit Award, four Good Conduct Medals, two National Defense Service Medals, the Iraqi Campaign Medal with three stars, the Global War On Terror Service and Expeditionary Medals, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon with numeral three, the Army Service Ribbon and the Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral two. 1SG Grandia has also been awarded the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Gold Recruiters Badge with three Sapphires as well as the Recruiter Ring, and the Gold German Marksmanship badge.
1SG Grandia’s military education includes the Army Recruiter Course, Warrior Leaders Course, Advanced Leaders Course, Senior Leaders Course, and the First Sergeants Course Class 14-10. He is also a member of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club.