Retired Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Grinston, now CEO of Army Emergency Relief, visits with soldiers at Camp Humphreys, South Korea, May 19, 2025. (Trevares Johnson/Stars and Stripes)
CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea — Former Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Grinston returned to the largest U.S. military installation overseas for the first time in three years to raise awareness about an often-overlooked program offering financial aid to soldiers in crisis.
Speaking Monday to about 500 soldiers at a Humphreys motor pool, Grinston — now the CEO of Army Emergency Relief – explained the nonprofit organization’s mission to provide interest-free loans and grants to Army members and their families facing emergencies.
“Most people don’t know anything about [Army Emergency Relief],” he told the crowd. “It really disappoints me because there’s a lot of soldiers out there that need our help, and they don’t know what we do.”
Founded in 1942 by Secretary of War Henry Stimson and Army Chief of Staff Gen. George Marshall, the program has distributed more than $2 billion to 4 million soldiers since its inception, according to the organization’s website.
Retired Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Grinston, now CEO of Army Emergency Relief, speaks with soldiers at Camp Humphreys, South Korea, May 19, 2025. (Eric Mendiola/ Stars and Stripes)
The program covers a range of emergency needs, including travel and funeral expenses, temporary lodging, medical bills not covered by insurance, and child car seats.
In 2024, Army Emergency Relief dispersed more than $41 million in non-interest loans and $8.3 million in grants, according to the nonprofit. That year, it also provided over $9 million in scholarships to Army spouses and children, relief spokesman Sean Ryan said at the motor pool.
Grinston, who joined the program last year, said he personally reviews some applications and has encountered thousands of “gut-wrenching” stories of soldiers in need.
He said one of his first cases involved a staff sergeant with Stage 4 cancer seeking help so his wife could visit him in Texas. The couple received a $4,000 grant to cover a rental car and lodging.
“What I don’t want is them to worry about that,” Grinston told Stars and Stripes at the motor pool. “Imagine that your husband is going through cancer treatment and … that’s what you’re worried about? The government travel card? We’re going to give you that money.”
Grinston encouraged soldiers to seek help when they need it — either through their chain of command or by contacting Army Emergency Relief directly.
Retired Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Grinston, now CEO of Army Emergency Relief, speaks with soldiers at Camp Humphreys, South Korea, May 19, 2025. (Trevares Johnson/Stars and Stripes)
“They’re sitting here struggling with all of these problems, so that’s what I talk about all the time,” he said. “Please come and talk to us if you need help.”
Among those helped by Army Emergency Relief was Staff Sgt. Nathaniel Mayes of the 23rd Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division. He said the program provided an $800 loan when he was preparing for a permanent change of station move to Germany a few years ago.
The all-season tires on Mayes’ car did not meet Germany’s strict road requirements and he needed to replace them with winter tires before shipping the vehicle, he said at the motor pool Monday.
Mayes said he only had “$500 to my name until the next paycheck,” before he spoke with his first sergeant and received a loan from Army Emergency Relief.
“It was a relief,” he said. “It helped me out and it was less stressful because it was 0% interest.”
Grinston enlisted in 1987 as an artilleryman and served in Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield. He retired in 2023 after 36 years of service, including four as the Army’s top enlisted leader.
He last visited South Korea in November 2022 to meet with soldiers at Humphreys and Camp Casey, approximately 25 miles north of Seoul.
