The Characters of G.I. Joe - GRUNT, part 1

CHARACTER OR ARMY BUILDER?

THE CHARACTERS OF G.I. JOE

    "Grunt is a highly motivated, systematic individual.  He's a stand-up guy who doesn't blow his cool in a firefight." - From Grunt's file card, 1982.

G.I.JOE

Infantry Trooper - GRUNT

File Name - Robert W. Graves

Birthplace - Columbus, Ohio

Specialties - Infantry, Small Arms Armorer, Artillery Coordinator, Glider Pilot.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION...

    Getting his start in G.I. Joe in 1982, Grunt is one of the original 13 Team members.  He is well-trained and capable of using various types of military and/or civilian small arms.  A welcome addition to any operation, he remains focused in the heat of battle and will always have the back of his teammates.  

        In 1983, Grunt took the opportunity for additional training and attended Glider Training School.  After graduating, he became one of the first official pilots of the G.I. Joe Falcon Glider.  He has successfully taken down several of Cobra's own Viper Gliders.  

    At one point, he and his commanding officer - Hawk, infiltrated a Military Extremist Training Camp posing as new recruits.  Together they uncovered a plot by the leader of the training camp to start World War 3.  They foiled the plan and Grunt assisted in dismantling a nuclear bomb.  

    Grunt is a reliable, trustworthy soldier that has served on countless missions. 

CHARACTER OR ARMY BUILDER?

    I missed many of the first Series figures in 1982, I just didn't lock into the original 13 Joes much.  They all looked very similar to one another and I just didn't understand who was who?  It also didn't help that I was having a hard time finding the comic.  There was a lot of confusion for me.  Was Grunt an army builder or a character?  

    Though he kind of represented a generic soldier in the beginning, over a few years Grunt's character would get branched out a bit.  By the time I had bought him, there was a lot more color among the Joe uniforms, so he stood out a little better!  The realism of Grunt's common uniform was a welcome addition alongside some of the brighter gear.  Plus, at this point he would have "Swivel Arm Battle Grip" unlike the few other Series 1 Joes.  I was lucky that Grunt must have been available in 1984, because I remember getting him about the time I got the G.I. Joe hovercraft.  He often manned one of the machine gun turrets on the WHALE.

    While I don't have my original Grunt anymore, Grunt here is represented by the Walmart Exclusive Retro Line figure from 2020.  This is a good-looking figure and a nice update of the original version of the character.  Unfortunately, Hasbro did not do a very good job with the quality of this toyline.  My Grunt's arm snapped off, so I returned it and got another, and then HIS arm snapped off.  So I got a third and said I would NOT move his right arm.  Three years later I'm taking pictures of the figure and my mind slips and I try to adjust the "gun arm" and SNAP!  Ugh!  So my figure's arm is now glued.  This Grunt will catch a rating of 3 out of 5 Olive Drab Helmets!  Bottom line - looks good / questionable quality.  

Grunt and a few other Wave 1 Joes.  This is from the original catalog released in 1982.  I still have it in my collection!

    (Information on the character's lore may come from the Sunbow and DIC cartoon series, including the Movie and the figure's original File Card.)