1st Radio Bn. Marine honored for outstanding career

Photo By Sgt. Joshua Young | Master Sgt. Douglas Grimmett II, the operations chief for Radio Battalion, Charlie Company, at Camp Pendleton, Calif., recently received the ‘On-the-Roof-Gang’ Award during the 2012 Naval Cryptologic Veterans Association reunion at Tucson, Ariz. The ‘On-the-Roof-Gang’ is named after U.S. naval cryptologists and radiomen who operated from the roof of a Navy building in Washington D.C.  

CAMP PENDLETON, CA, UNITED STATES

05.02.2012

Story by Lance Cpl. Joshua Young 

I Marine Expeditionary Force

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — Master Sgt. Douglas Grimmett II, 41, with 1st Radio Battalion, received the ‘On-the-Roof Gang’ Award during the 2012 Naval Cryptologic Veterans Association reunion in Tucson, Ariz, in April.

The ‘On the-Roof-Gang’ Association is named after U.S. naval cryptologists and radiomen who operated from the roof of the old Navy Department building in Washington D.C., during World War II. The recipient of the award is recognized for their entire career in cryptology, rather than a specific achievement.

“It’s based on your history of what you’ve done in your career,” said Grimmett, from Toledo, Ohio, who was originally trained as a manual Morse intercept operator in 1992. “It’s a recognition of an accumulative career in the cryptology field.”

Grimmett has has 17 deployments under his belt during the course of his 20-year career in the Marine Corps. He recently returned from a deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

With the amount of deployments he’s been on, as well as his time in service and job proficiency, it’s no wonder Grimmett, was chosen for the award.

“It’s humbling,” said Grimmett, who has been involved with several operations with the Marine Corps including Operation Bold Venture, as a signals intelligence senior analyst, and Operation Enduring Freedom as a collection manager. “This is something I do for a living and it’s expected of me to do my job. It’s just what I do.”

Master Gunnery Sgt. Jeff Ganahl, the operations control and analysis center maintenance chief with 1st Radio Battalion, met Grimmett 18 years ago. Ganahl served with Grimmett aboard the USS Tarawa with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit in support of Operations Southern Strike, Desert Strike and Quick Transit III.

“He is a leader that the Marines look up to,” said Ganahl, who spoke of Grimmett as if they were brothers. “I can’t think of other cryptologists who have more deployment experience than he does.”

Grimmett, who served in Iraq as a collection manager and a signals intelligence analyst, spent much of his time away from his family due to his deployments. His family handled the separation time well, but they’re glad his deployments are winding down.

“He came into the Marine Corps to do this, but after 17 deployments, it’s time for him to be around the house more,” said Douglas’s wife, Shelly, who seemed excited when speaking of her husbands career.

The award recipient is hoping the deployment he recently returned from is his last. His family helped him pull through the hard times with letters and phone calls.

“They have been the backbone of my support, starting out with my very first deployment right after my daughter was born,” said Grimmett, whose father was a Vietnam veteran.

Grimmett was raised in a Christian family with his two brothers by his parents who have been married for 45 years. His parents taught him strong values that he still adheres to today.

“I give credit to my parents,” said Grimmett. “They raised me to be respectful.”

Grimmett teaches his Marines the same values and standards he does with his daughters, explained Ganahl. He teaches his peers to be true to their word and treat others how they would want to be treated.

“I think he fosters his family the same way he does his Marines,” Ganahl said. “He tries to teach them honesty. He is pretty much respected by everybody.”

The ‘On-the-Roof-Gang’ recipient still has the plaque he received for the award in its plastic wrapping until it finds a place on his wall at his next duty station. Grimmett said he is looking forward to his next assignment and the remainder of his military career. He may deploy again, but he is hoping for more well-deserved time with his family, he said.

• Date Taken: 05.02.2012
• Date Posted: 05.10.2012 12:29
• Story ID: 88232
• Location: CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US
• Hometown: TOLEDO, OH, US