Command Sergeant Major Donald Gross enlisted into the United States Army as a Health Care Specialist (68W) in 2003. He completed basic training at Fort Benning and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sam Houston.
He assumed the duties as Command Sergeant Major for Walter Reed Army Institute of Research on 17 March 2023. His previous assignments include: the Inspector General Sergeant Major for Medical Command Headquarters, Falls Church, Virginia; Operations Sergeant Major in 44th Medical Brigade, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; First Sergeant at Womack Army Medical Center, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Platoon Sergeant with 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Squad Leader at 6th Ranger Training Battalion, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida; Primary Care NCOIC at Munson Army Health Center, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; and a Combat Medic in the 173rd Airborne Combat Team, Caserma Ederly, Vicenza, Italy. He deployed twice to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and twice to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Inherent Resolve.
CSM Gross’ military education includes the Army Airborne School, Warrior Leaders Course, Army Medical (AMEDD) Advanced Leaders Course, AMEDD Senior Leaders Course, United States Army Sergeant Major Academy (Class 70), Equal Opportunity Leaders Course, Sexual Harassment Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP), Human Resources Management for Supervisors Course, Group Practice Manager Course, First Sergeant Pre-Command Course, Defense Support of Civil Authorities Phase II Course, and Inspector General Course.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Leadership and Workforce Development from the United States Army Command and General Staff College and a Master of Science in Management from Excelsior University.
CSM Gross’ awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with Valor, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal (3rd Award), Army Accommodation Medal with Valor, Army Accommodation Medal (7th Award), Army Achievement Medal (3rd Award), Naval Achievement Medal, Valorous Unit Award, Presidential Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Citation (2nd Award), Army Good Conduct Medal (6th Award), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (1 Campaign Star), Iraqi Campaign Medal (1 Campaign Star), Operation Inherent Resolve Medal (1 Campaign Star), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon (numeral 4), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon (numeral 4), NATO Medal, Combat Medical Badge, Expert Field Medical Badge, Parachutist Badge, Driver’s Badge, Inspector General Badge, Gold Cavalry Spurs, German Parachutist Badge, and is a member of the Sergeant Morales Club.