Growing up on the Gold Coast, Grant found his sea legs early while in Navy Cadets. Couldn't resist the magnetic draw to action, the day he turned 17 he followed his mates into the Army Reserve at Southport while finishing school. Having a thirst for adventure and wanting to see the world he chose to serve full time, Navy proved it as his best option to achieve his early dreams.
While in the Navy he qualified as an electrician. Missing the water & still hungry for action he plunged into a new career as a Clearance Diver. A change of strategic policy denied him from following other Navy Divers 'on team' in the Counter Terrorism Squadron within the SAS. Having his sights set to experience what his senior divers had, he had but one option, to do the SAS Selection Course and jump ship from Navy. Selected to serve in the Army's SAS Grant thought he'd try something different and first saw action in Air Troop (free-fall parachuting). The draw back to water was too great and finally switched to Water Troop and continued deploying on multiple operations as an SAS Soldier / Sniper. Accompanied by one of his best mates Clay, they were the first of many divers to jump ship to SAS. |
Attached to the Soldier Recovery Centre as a reservist, Grant's been supporting serving Defence members through a holistic wellness program. The programs designed for members who present with a range of issues in the wounded, injured and ill space. Cases which are usually too complexed or difficult to be manage in their own units.
Leading the troops through a range of activities he noted that every event around water saw significant positive changes in the members mindset. Seeing positive outcomes in individuals and knowing how they could be amplified through a maritime wellness project drove his passion to launch Maritime Warrior. Supported by his wife Deb, keen sailor & head of customer service, Both Debs parents, her aunts and uncles all served in the RAAF. Deb lost her father early but still remembers the proudest moment when her parents met the Queen and when her father received the OAM Order of Australia. Deb understands the sacrifice & difficulties families go through supporting serving and ex serving family members while watching her mother battle Veteran Affairs. Her most memorable parts of childhood was growing up and attending the RAAF School in Penang, Malaysia. |