EPISODE.024: Authentic reflections of a 31 year career in service to our Country with CSM Christopher Greca, USA (Ret.)

Today US Army Command Sergeant Major Christopher Greca (RET) shares his reflections on his 31 year career, leadership wins and losses, success and failures. Chris doesn’t hold back and shares his own history of regrets and what he’s done to learn from them.

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Christopher K. Greca retired from the United States Army in 2017 after a Distinguished 31-year military career.  After retirement, Chris founded 5^thPrinciple LLC, a leadership consulting firm who specializes in character development and team building, both of which come directly from his training, education, and 30+ years of experience as a United States Army Ranger. 

During his service, Chris worked at the most senior levels for both the Army and Department of Defense.  He served over 40 months in Afghanistan, Iraq, and across the United States Central Command (USCENTCOM) area of responsibility as part of a Joint Special Operational Task Force, Conventional Army Forces, and as the most Senior Enlisted Leader assigned to USCENTCOM. 

Chris culminated his career as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader working directly for Generals Llyod Austin and Joe Votel. This United States Geographic Combatant Command has or had responsibility for 20 Countries in the Middle East, 75,000 Uniformed Service Members, and 52 Partnered Nations.  

Chris’ official military biography can be found at: http://www.defense.gov/About/Biographies/Bography-View/Article/602706/

A few notable additions include being awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal (DSM; Highest Peacetime Army Award), Defense Superior Service Medal, and being inducted as a Distinguished Member of the 75^thRanger Regiment (DMoR), for his service in both 2^ndand 1^stRanger Battalions. 

Chris has been very public about the effects of service; the emotional, physical, and mental scars of conflict.  He was recently featured in a Public Service Announcement for the Department of Defense called the “Real Warrior Program,” which was shown on Armed Forces Network (AFN).  He routinely shares his personal story of “emotional numbness,” and the effects it has had on his family.

Additionally, he was asked and worked as a Senior Mentor for the Nominative Leader Course (NLC), which is part of the Army’s Leader Development Program located at the Army War College.  Chris was also featured on the Army Leader Exchange (ALx) at Fort Leavenworth Kansas discussing Communication in a Multigenerational Environment, and he was the first retired Noncommissioned Officer to ever participate in the Leadership Forum.

Chris holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration with honors (4.0 GPA) from Park University and is currently working on his Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Norwich University. 

Chris has been married to his wife Darena for over 30 years, and they have three boys.  He currently resides outside Columbus, Georgia.