Ivan Grishin was born on 16 December 1901 in the village of Vnukovichi to a peasant family. He graduated from fourth grade at the rural school. After his father was drafted, Grishin left school and worked in the household. In July 1920, he was drafted into the Red Army. Grishin became a private in the 16th Reserve Rifle Regiment at Dorogobuzh. From 1920 to 1922, he studied at the 18th Infantry Command Courses in Kaluga. While a cadet, Grishin fought in the crushing of the Tambov Rebellion.