From a humble beginning as one of twelve 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 Two, Peter and seven of his brothers honorably served in the US 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 US and numerous countries retiring at the rank of Major General having started as a private and moving through the ranks on 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, he later served as CEO of two corporations, one which had business lines in the US 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, he 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, General Gravett served a dual assignment in Kiev, Ukraine with the Partnership for Peace program. Previously, General Gravett 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 he 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, he served as an Assistant Division Logistics Officer and as 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; military, law enforcement, business and government having worked simultaneously at two of these at any given time. 

Major General Peter J. Gravett is the author of From East Garrison to the Ranch House.

 According to the book description of From East Garrison to the Ranch House, “This is a real story told by the person who lived it, Peter Gravett. A product of the early 1940’s segregated Jim Crow South, his true to life story unfolds starting at age eight growing up in a public housing project following his family’s migration to California during World War Two. As one of twelve children, eleven surviving, born to into an industrious and religious centered home where traditional values were taught and education was encouraged, the book tracks him from his pre-teen years through high school and his first tour of duty in the Army by way of the Army National Guard, through four illustrious careers including achieving the rank of Police Watch Commander for the Los Angeles Police Department and Major General of the United States Army. This fascinating tale tracks his march from the East Garrison part of Camp Roberts which housed Colored soldiers and German and Italian POWs during World War Two, to his residence in the Ranch House which was used exclusively only by high ranking officers and becoming the first black officer to do so. This fully illustrated and documented book follows his service as a high government civilian position, appointed by the Assistant Secretary of Defense, a Governor’s Cabinet and as a successful international businessman including photos and details of his receipt of numerous awards and decorations, meetings with Royalty and heads of state, honors awarded by several countries, and meetings with celebrities and served veterans. A detailed closing segment acknowledges the success of his four career life to his family, whom he credits with the inspiration and encouragement for his success.”