RICHMOND, Va. –
Lt. Col. Paul Gravely will succeed Col. Preston Scott, Jr., as the Maneuver Training Center Fort Pickett garrison commander, according to an announcement made Dec. 13, 2017, by Maj. Gen. Timothy Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia. Gravely currently serves as the Fort Pickett director of plans, training and security, and Jan. 7, 2018, is his effective date for command. Scott will succeed Col. Kerry Dull as the chief of staff of the 29th Infantry Division.
“Please join me in congratulating this exceptional officer on his new command,” Williams wrote in the announcement. “Lt. Col. Gravely has completed a successful assignment as the plans, training and mobilization manager at the Maneuver Training Center. I have no doubt he will continue to serve with distinction in his new assignment.”
“Col. Scott leaves a legacy of leadership and selfless service to the Virginia Army National Guard and its regional partners who train at MTC,” Williams wrote. “We thank him for his many contributions to the Virginia National Guard and are confident he will excel in his new assignment.”
Fort Pickett is comprised of approximately 41,000 acres and is operated by the Virginia National Guard. It features a combination of open and wooded terrain maneuver areas and 21 ranges capable of supporting almost any weapons system in the U. S. Army inventory. In addition, the installation has a rail spur and C-17 capable airfield as well as barracks to support more than 5,000 personnel and morale, welfare and recreation facilities including a gym, post exchange and leisure center.
Biographies for Col. Scott and Lt. Col. Gravely:
Scott received his commission from the Virginia Military Academy Officer Candidate School in 1992. After graduating from OCS, he served as a fire support officer, battery executive officer and battery commander in for the Hampton-based 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery Regiment. Upon completion of his battery command, he was selected for a Title 10 tour as the Army School System Integration Officer for the Training and Doctrine Command with duty at Fort Monroe in Hampton, Virginia. In 2005, he was assigned as an operations officer for the Joint Forces Command in Norfolk, Virginia.
Scott returned to the Virginia Army National Guard in 2006 when he was assigned to the battalion operations officer for 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery Regiment, and we would later serve as the battalion executive officer and battalion commander. In 2010, following his battalion command, Scott was assigned as the brigade operations officer for the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team as the brigade deployed to Afghanistan. In 2012, he was reassigned as the brigade fire support coordinator. In July of 2013, Scott was assigned to the as the Virginia Army National Guard deputy operations officer. And in April of 2014, Scott assumed command of the Maneuver Training Center Fort Pickett.
Scott is a graduate of the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course, Field Artillery Officer Advanced Course, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, the Joint Forces Staff College and the United States Army War College. He holds a Bachelors degree in Criminology from Saint Leo University, a Masters in Military Arts and Science from Fort Leavenworth University and a Masters in Strategic Studies from the Unites States Army War College.
Scott’s awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, the Meritorious Unit Award, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (Gold) and the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara.
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Gravely began his U.S. Army career in October 1995 as a private in the Bluefield, West Virginia-based 1st Battalion, 150th Armor Regiment. In 1997, he attended Officer Candidate School at the 197th Regional Training Institute at Camp Dawson, West Virginia, and in June 1998 commissioned as an Armor Officer. He served in various company-grade assignments in both the West Virginia and Virginia Army National Guard including service as company-level commander in both the 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery Regiment and the 2nd Squadron, 183rd Cavalry Regiment. His field grade assignments include serving as the 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team chief of operations, duty at the Joint Staff, J7-South in Suffolk, Joint Exercise and Training Division, Fort Pickett range operations officer and executive officer for the 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment. He commanded 1st Battalion, 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute from Sept. 1, 2015, to Oct. 1, 2017. He is currently attending the U.S. Army War College through the Department of Distance Education.
Gravely served on two deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. His awards and decorations include: Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (2nd Award), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (7th Award), National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award), Afghanistan Campaign Medal (with Campaign Star), Iraq Campaign Medal (with Campaign Star), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with “M” Device and Bronze Hour Glass), Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Ribbon, Non Article 5 NATO Medal, the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge, and the Order of St. George.
Gravely is a native of Lashmeet, West Virginia. He holds a Bachelors of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Bluefield State College.