Former Staff Sergeant Griffin is currently serving as Configuration Manager Team Lead for Department of the Navy, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Panama City Division

He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in February 2002 as a Military Police Officer.  He attended boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina.  Upon graduation, he attended Military Police School at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and Military Working Dog Handler Course at Lackland Air Force, San Antonio, Texas.  His first assignment was at Marine Corps Air Station in Beaufort, South Carolina as a Lance Corporal where he served as a Military Working Dog Handler, from 2003 to 2006. While at the Air Station, he was promoted to the rank of Corporal and served one combat tour in Operation Iraqi Freedom.  He later received the Army Commendation Medal for his actions above and beyond the call of duty.  He also received the Navy/Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon.

Corporal Griffin transferred to Marine Corps Detachment Lackland Air Force Base, in San Antonio, Texas in 2006; where he served as Military Working Dog Trainer and Handler Course Instructor for three years. In 2006, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He was later selected to serve as Military Working Dog Kennel Master, Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Virginia.  He was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant in 2010.

After completion of his 3-year tour in Quantico, Virginia in 2011, Staff Sergeant Griffin received orders to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; where he served multiple roles base on the operational tempo and the needs of the Marine Corps.  He began serving as a Platoon Sergeant, later to serve as Specialized Search Dog Handler, and Assistant Kennel Master.  While stationed at Camp Lejeune, he also served one combat tour in Operation Enduring Freedom.  Upon returning from deployment, he received the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal and the Navy/Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon (second award).

Other than the previously mentioned awards, Staff Sergeant Griffin has also been awarded the Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (x2), Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (x4), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, and NATO Medal-ISAF.  He is married to Andrea Griffin and has two children, Avery and AJ.

In 2014, Staff Sergeant Griffin separated from the Marine Corps pursuing a career in Civil Service and relocated his family to Northwest Florida; where he now serves his country in a different manner.  He currently functions as a Configuration Management, Team Lead where he provides support to Naval Fleet by maintaining control of the Configuration Data Managers Database, and oversees the daily operations of thirteen individuals.

 

In 2019, Adam reached out to Roger and Joan Nold of Labs for Liberty seeking the aid of a service dog to help with PTSD, severe anxiety, depression, and other daily functions that had become difficult to complete due to his service connected disabilities.  Through careful selection, Labs for Liberty obtained a pup Adam named Dash.  Dash was then custom trained to serve Adam’s specific needs. In September of 2020, Adam and Dash were paired near Morgan, Utah at the Labs for Liberty Outpost.  Since the pairing, Adam and Dash have adapted to each other nicely and have become quite the team.  Adam has been able to sleep better, attend social gathers easier, and has become a better husband and father.