Jeffery Hammond

Jeffery W. Hammond is a retired United States Army officer. He was the athletic director at the University of Southern Mississippi from 2012 to 2013. He had previously served as the commanding general of the 4th Infantry Division and commander of U.S. forces in Baghdad, Iraq.

Early life

Hammond attended the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, receiving bachelor's and master's degrees in special education. He was a quarterback for the USM football team.

Military career

Hammond was commissioned as a second lieutenant of field artillery in 1978. He was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division in Germany, where he advanced to command of a battery. He returned to the U.S. to take the Infantry Officer Advanced Course at Fort Benning, Georgia.

From 1984 to 1987 he returned to the University of Southern Mississippi, where he served as assistant professor of military science. After that, he spent a year in South Korea in a personnel post.

In 1988 he was assigned to the 24th Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia. With the 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery of that division, Hammond was deployed to Saudi Arabia as part of Operation Desert Shield in 1990 and participated in Operation Desert Storm, the recapture of Kuwait from Iraq in 1991.

In the mid-1990s Hammond took command of the 4th Battalion, 29th Field Artillery, part of the 1st Armored Division in Germany, leading them during Operation Joint Endeavor in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Staff service in Washington, D.C. and a tour as division artillery commander of the 1st Cavalry Division followed.

Hammond was assistant division commander (support) of the 1st Cavalry Division during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 in Iraq. He then served as the Army's Director of Operations, Readiness and Mobilization before taking command of the 4th Infantry Division on 19 January 2007.

Return to Southern Miss

Hammond currently serves as the special assistant to the president for Military and Veterans Student Affairs at The University of Southern Mississippi. He has served in this capacity since August 2013. Hammond previously served as the director of athletics at Southern Mississippi.

General Hammond is also a member and the faculty advisor for Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity at The University of Southern Mississippi (2011)

Decorations

•   Legion of Merit
•   Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster
•   Defense Meritorious Service Medal
•   Meritorious Service Medal with one silver oak leaf cluster
•   Joint Service Commendation Medal
•   Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster