The Combat Veterans For Congress PAC is endorsing Cpt Andrew F. Grant, USNA ’95, USMC as the 119th Combat Veterans For Congress candidate in the last 9 years; he is a fiscally conservative candidate who will work to rein in the out of control spending by irresponsible members of Congress, reduce the national debt, and will work toward unleashing the private sector to create jobs, and stimulate private sector business investment.  He believes in an efficient government that serves the people and upholds the highest standards of integrity and transparency.  Captain Grant of Folsom, California is running in the primary election for the Republican nomination to run for the Congress in the 7th Congressional District of California for the seat currently held by three term Congressman Ami Bera.

Cong Bera supported the very dangerous Iranian Nuclear Weapons Agreement which has permitted Iran to develop nuclear weapons, and has sent billions of dollars in cash on pallets, loaded onto cargo planes, to the Iranian government.  Cong Bera supported the Iranian Nuclear Weapons agreement while Iran was manufacturing Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), and Explosive Formed Penetrators (EFPs) and provided them to Radical Islamic Terrorists to kill and maim members of the US Armed Forces.  The Iranian government is the largest state sponsor of terror in the world that should never receive support or cover from the United States. Cong Bera voted No on (HR 3004) Kate’s Law, voted No on (HR 3003) canceling Sanctuary Cities, voted No on (HR 1628) to modify Obama Care to fine Americans who didn’t subscribe, voted No on (HR 1) on the tax cut bill, voted No on HR 3354 to fund appropriations to secure the wide open border, voted No on (HR 3219) for defense appropriations to for military construction, Veterans Affairs, and clean water, and voted No on (HR 3697) for Criminal Alien Gang Member removal. Cong Bera supported the flawed Obamacare health insurance program and now supports single-payer government-run healthcare for all Americans.  Many veterans with access to the VA medical system, a government-run health care system will tell you that this system has wreaked havoc on their lives and blocked their timely access to care.   Andrew was born in Concord, CA on October 3, 1971.  He was raised and attended elementary and middle school in Concord.  Andrew played football and baseball for 4 years, and wrestled for 2 years while matriculating at Clayton Valley High School.  In his Junior year, Andrew attended the US Marine Corps Devil Pups Program at Camp Pendleton, CA.  He graduated from Clayton in May 1990 and accepted an appointment to the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD.  In June 1991, Midshipman Grant entered the US Naval Academy, played football for two years, baseball for 4 years, and was a member of Navy’s baseball team that made it to the Division 1 NCAA Regionals.  He graduated in May 1995 with Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science.  In June 2003, Captain Grant, USMC graduated from the National Defense Intelligence College in Washington, DC with a Master’s of Science Degree in Strategic Intelligence.  In June 2004.  Captain Grant graduated from American Military University in Manassas, VA with a Master of Arts Degree in General Military Studies.  In May 2015, Andrew graduated from California State University Sacramento in Sacramento, CA with a Master’s in Business Administration Degree.

On May 31, 1995 Midshipman Andrew Grant was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the US Marine Corps upon graduation from the US Naval Academy.  He was assigned to the US Naval Academy to teach close order drill to Midshipmen through August 1995.  In August 1995, 2ndLt Grant reported to reported to The Basic School at the Marine Corps Command Development Command at the US Marine Corps Base, Quantico, VA.  He completed Basic Marine Corps Officer Training on March 1996, and reported to Infantry Officer’s Course.  In late June 1996, 2nd Lt Grant reported to the one week Sniper Employment Course.  In July he reported to the Army Intelligence Officer’s Basic Course at Fort Huachuca, AZ, completing training in October 1996.  In December 1996, 2nd Lt Grant reported to the 5th Marines as a Reconnaissance Platoon Commander at Camp Pendleton, CA.  In March 1997, 2nd Lt Grant was promoted to First Lieutenant.  
 

As Platoon Commander, Andrew was assigned to multiple Combined Arms Exercises in 29 Palms, supporting units preparing to deploy overseas.  With another unit commander, Andrew was also selected by Joint Task Force 6 (Counter Drug Operations) to deploy and operate in the Los Angeles National Forest against drug trafficking groups using the forest for cultivation.  Promoted to Captain in May 1999, Andrew attended the Amphibious Intelligence Officer Course in Dam Neck Creek Virginia; earning Andrew a new Military Occupational Specialty, Marine Air Ground Task Force Intelligence Officer (0202).  Upon returning to California, Andrew joined 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines as the Battalion’s Intelligence Officer for their deployment as part of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, operating out of Camp Hanson, Okinawa.

Andrew participated in multiple exercises with the 31st MEU, to include amphibious exercises in South Korea and Australia.  As part of the unit’s Special Operations Capable designation, Andrew was called upon to serve as the MEU’s Reconnaissance Commander responsible for the deployment and operation of Marine Snipers and Reconnaissance units and attached SEALs.  While deployed, Andrew supported Operation Stabilize, a peacekeeping operation in East Timor by providing ground units with all-source intelligence.  Returning stateside, in early 2000 Andrew joined the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff J2 Operations Unit.  Trained as a National Intelligence Support Team leader, Andrew led small units of subject matter experts supporting Joint Task Forces in Kosovo and (later in) Afghanistan.  In Kosovo, alongside U.S. U.S. Army Military Intelligence units, Andrew worked closely with all levels of the command and U.S. in-country assistance and with U.S. allies.  Andrew was assigned collateral duties as the U.S. military representative to FYROM and he participated extensively in the “Four Pillars” rebuilding programs involving all nations supporting Kosovo Peacekeeping operations. 

Returning from Kosovo in the Fall 2000, Andrew supported stateside exercises and planning efforts.  Transitioning from operation to intelligence analysis, Andrew took on a military intelligence management role at the Defense Intelligence Agency, North Korea section.  Andrew produced, contributed to collection requirements, and provided intelligence to a variety of senior officials in Washington and within military commands.  For his work on North Korea, Andrew was personally asked by General LaPorte, U.S. Forces Korea, to write and present intelligence assessments for use in command exercises.

By request, Andrew also provided intelligence to Secretary Donald Rumsfeld on North Korea – later declassified and used by the Security in negotiations and with press about North Korea.  As manager, as well, Andrew participated in and facilitated multiple DIA-Korea DIA (KDIA) summits; a key part of US-Republic of Korea military cooperation.  Having been trained as a NIST leader, and after 9/11, Andrew led another intelligence team into Afghanistan in support of combat operations in Southeast Afghanistan, Kandahar.  Andrew’s team worked closely with all international, law enforcement, and special forces units participating in combat, capture, and evidence-collection operations in Afghanistan.  Andrew participated in site collection operations, collection requirements, debriefings; a key access point for national intelligence support tactical, sensitive in-country missions.

Returning stateside after Afghanistan, Andrew returned to his role as a manager for the North Korea Intelligence Unit before ending service in May, 2004.  Captain Grant was Honorably Discharged from the US Marine Corps on May 31, 2004.  During his Marine Corps career Captain Grant was awarded the Combat Action Ribbon, the Joint Services Commendation Medal (Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster for 2nd award), Joint Meritorious Unit Award, NATO Medal, Navy Marine Corps Sea Service Medal, and various Campaign and Service Medals.

Following release from active duty, in August 2004, Andrew accepted an appointment as a Foreign Affairs Officer, by Ambassador John Bolton at the US State Department in the Bureau of Verification and Compliance.  Hired for his expertise on North Korea, Andrew supported the Bureau's mission to verify US Treaties For Arms Control and other non-proliferation efforts.  The Bureau also produces an Annual Report to Congress on Treaties and Agreements in place between the US and other countries.  In November 2005, Andrew accepted another appointment within the office of Under Secretary for Arms Control & International Security, as the Deputy Director of the Office for WMD terrorism (he was later appointed as Director).  The WMD Terrorism office was the first-ever office in the U.S. government to focus on the nexus threat of terrorism and weapons of mass destruction.  The office led international diplomacy to reduce the WMD terrorism threat, often through the Global Initiative to combat nuclear terrorism; a presidential-level agreement co-chaired with Russia to stop nuclear terrorism.  In December 2007, Andrew transferred to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, US Department of Homeland Security, as the Deputy Team Leader in Sacramento, CA.  After Hurricane Katrina, Andrew served the needs of local communities in multiple disaster locations, to include Haiti after a major earthquake, the Southern U.S. border during the BP Oil Spill, and North Dakota during severe flooding. 

In November 2010, Andrew moved into the private sector as a Senior Director of Raley‘s Corporation in Sacramento California.  Seeking to deepen his relationship with business and the local community, starting in 2013 for two years Andrew and his wife bought and successfully operated a small business while Andrew remained a part of an executive team at the regional food retailer, Raley’s.   As a crisis management expert, Andrew played a significant leadership role for the company during a significant cyber security event, during an earthquake, and during the company’s first labor strike.   In January 2016, Andrew accepted the position of President/CEO of the Northern California World Trade Center (WTC) in Sacramento, which helps regional businesses open trading opportunities to export California goods around the world.On May 27, 2017 Andrew was awarded a Master in Business Administration from California State University Sacramento, CA.  In September 2017 Andrew resigned as President/CEO WTC, in order to run for Congress in the 7th Congressional District of California. Andrew is a life member of the US Naval Academy Alumni Association, the Marine Corps Association, the VFW, the American Legion, and the Marine Corps League.  Andrew’s endorsements are from Former Congressman Doug Ose, Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones, CA, Senator Jim Nielsen, CA, Senator Ted Gaines, CA, Senator Janet Nguyen,  CA Assemblyman Kevin Kiley, the Combat Veterans For Congress PAC, Defender of Freedom PAC, NAHB Home PAC, Elk Grove Chamber of Commerce PAC, and With Honor PAC.  Kevin, his wife, Mary Ellen of 21 years, live in Folsom, CA with their children Lucas age 13, Alex age 11, and Claire age 8.  Andrew and his family attend Lakeside Christian Church in Folsom; Andrew is also Catholic and attends mass at many local Catholic Churches. 

The Combat Veterans For Congress PAC is pleased to endorse Captain Andrew F. Grant, USNA ’95, USMC who will bring to Congress private sector skills and wisdom to better solve problems in government and will represent California and the Republic.  If you review Captain Grant’s positions on his Web site, you would be pleased with his stands; they agree with the Combat Veterans For Congress Mission Statement.  We look forward to working with Captain Grant, and are pleased that a Combat Veteran of his caliber is running for Congress.  

If you have friends, associates, or relatives who know voters in California, kindly pass this E-mail on to them, and ask them to support Captain Grant by working in his campaign, providing financial support for his campaign in any amount, and/or by networking with others who would be willing to support his campaign.  The military is one of the few remaining institutions producing the caliber of men and women needed to restore this nation to the greatness our Founding Fathers envisioned.  We have endorsed another Combat Veteran For Congress that General George Washington would have approved of.  He is a Veteran who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to “The United States of America” for an amount “up to and including his life.”