COLUMBIA, S.C. - South Carolina's retired inaugural Secretary of Veterans' Affairs has been appointed by Governor Henry McMaster as the next Chairman of the South Carolina Military Base Task Force. Retired Army Major General Will Grimsley now fills the position following the retirement announcement of Dan Beatty who was appointed Chairman in 2020.

Grimsley was appointed the first-ever Secretary of the South Carolina Department of Veterans' Affairs in March of 2020. He retired as Secretary in February of 2023, remaining an active advocate for military and Veterans’ Affairs in South Carolina.

“South Carolina continues to lead and exemplify the important impact our military has not only to our economy and the overall quality of life for our military retirees, Veterans and surrounding areas of our military installations,” said former Secretary Grimsley. “More broadly, the military presence in South Carolina from all services and all components play a critical strategic role in our Nation’s security at home and abroad. Over the past many years, The Military Base Task Force has led significant initiatives enhancing South Carolina’s support for our Service Members and families. We find ourselves today in a unique position to broaden our focus and create expanded opportunities for DoD and the Services to look at South Carolina as a first choice for new mission sets. In this era of renewed strategic challenges to the Nation, South Carolina is ready to step up and lead the way supporting our forces to meet these challenges.  I’m once again honored to answer Governor McMaster’s call to serve our state to ensure we do everything in our power to achieve this important goal for State and Nation."

Grimsley also extends his gratitude to Dan Beatty for leading the task force in the last four years. On Thursday, May 16, 2024, Beatty was presented by Governor McMaster with the prestigious Order of the Palmetto, the state's highest civilian honor for his service as Chairman on the Task Force. Beatty served more than 25 years in the U.S. Army and is also the Chief Compliance Officer for the South Carolina Education Lottery.

"I’m truly humbled and honored to have received the Order of Palmetto from Governor McMaster. It’s a privilege to work with such extraordinary leaders supporting the missions of our military organizations across South Carolina," said Beatty. "It’s truly remarkable when you consider that South Carolina has the 10th most service members with our 68,000, and the military injects over $34.3 billion into the state’s economy annually. The phenomenal members who comprise the Military Base Task Force’s Executive Committee are amazing and talented individuals who interface between the community and installations ensuring opportunities and challenges are anticipated and addressed." 

The South Carolina Military Base Task Force is an advisory board consisting of Governor-appointed representatives from military communities across the state, as well as the Adjutant General and the Secretary of Commerce. The Task Force was created to enhance the value of military installations, facilities, and the quality of life for military personnel located in South Carolina.

"The Task Force is going through another evolution,” said SCDVA Secretary Todd B. McCaffrey. “It's important to recognize that Dan Beatty's contribution to the Task Force really stemmed the integration from the Task Force's movement from the Department of Commerce to the Department of Veterans' Affairs. Will Grimsley, moving forward, is going to take the Task Force and look more strategically at the state and how South Carolina supports national security from a strategic perspective. I express to Dan my appreciation for his selflessness, his service, and his commitment to the State of South Carolina and his continued service and commitment to our service members across South Carolina."

To learn more about the South Carolina Military Base Task Force, click here.