Robert R. Grant joined the Marine Corps in 1966 and completed boot camp in San Diego. After additional training at Camp Pendleton and Camp Lejune, he found himself on the ground in Vietnam from November 1967 until December 1968. His Military Occupation Specialty (MOS) was Structural Mechanic (#6341), working on the A-4 Skyhawk fighter jet.

Corporal Grant learned to remove and replace a jet engine in one day when he was assigned to the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing #VMA121, a task that took most mechanics a month to complete. When the Marines were short staffed on helicopter door gunners, BG (Bob Grant), as he is known by close friends, volunteered to fill this role so he could save fellow Marines.

Cpl. Grant has publicly told the story of being involved in heavy combat during the Tet Offensive at the peak of the Vietnam War.

His personal and campaign awards include the Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Expert Pistol Medal, Expert Rifle Medal and a Unit Citation. Grant also serves as the Vice-Chair for the Eden Prairie Veterans Memorial Committee and retired from the Eden Prairie Fire Department after twenty years of service.