From a humble beginning, as one of 12 born to a blue-collar, working-class family from the public housing projects and rising to the rank of Major General in the United States Army, Peter J. Gravett exemplifies the American dream where a person can achieve whatever they want, as long as they are willing to work hard for it. Throughout his life, Peter has dedicated himself to the service of others including his God, his family, and his career.
Inspired and encouraged by his father, who had served as an enlisted soldier in a Tuskegee Airman’s flying unit during World War II, Peter and seven of his brothers honorably served in the U.S. Army.
He served in the Los Angeles Police Department while a member of the Army National Guard as a reservist. Upon retiring from police service, he returned to full-time military duty, serving across the U.S. and in numerous countries, retiring at the rank of Major General and having started as a private, moving through the ranks in a career of meritorious service.
Appointed by the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs as the California State Chairman for the Employee Support for the Guard and Reserve, MG Gravett later served as CEO of two corporations, one which had business lines in the U.S. and China, and later rose to the Cabinet of California’s Governor as Secretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs.
Before retiring from the Army National Guard, Peter served as commander of the 40th Infantry Division from 1999, when he was promoted to Major General, to 2002, becoming the first African-American division commander in the 225-year history of the United States Army National Guard. In this role, he served a dual assignment in Kiev, Ukraine, with the Partnership for Peace program. Previously, Peter served as Assistant Division Commander-Support from 1996, when he was promoted to Brigadier General, to 1999. In 1990, he was promoted to Colonel and served as commander of an armor brigade from 1993 to 1996, and Division Chief of Staff from 1990 to 1993. He served as Division Provost Marshal, Military Police Battalion Commander, Armor Battalion Commander, Division Civil-Military Operations Officer, and Armor Brigade Executive Officer after he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 1981. As a Major, from 1976 to 1980, Peter served as an Assistant Division Logistics Officer and a Division Transportation Officer. From 1974 to 1975, he served as a Logistics Officer, Intelligence Officer, and acting Operations Officer. General Gravett also served as an Armored Cavalry Troop Commander from 1971 to 1974. He began his commissioned service as a Military Police platoon leader and an Armored Cavalry troop platoon leader in 1968.
Peter retired following four successful careers in military, law enforcement, business, and government, having worked simultaneously at two of these at any given time.
He is married to a retired Army National Guard Colonel, who is also a retired educator, and now resides in Rancho Palos Verdes, California where they enjoy views of the Pacific Ocean.
