FORT HUACHUCA, Ariz. — After nearly four decades of service to the Nation, Jeffrey Jennings, deputy to the commanding general of the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence and Fort Huachuca, will retire from Senior Executive Service, serving his last day Dec. 29.
His retirement ceremony was held at Alvarado Hall Dec. 2, in conjunction with the Intelligence Senior Leader Conference, which allowed many he had served with throughout his career to be present.
Jennings was selected for the Senior Executive Service and appointed as the deputy to the commanding general for USAICoE and Fort Huachuca June 15, 2015, following his retirement from the Army after 31 years of active-duty service.
“I felt, first honored to have an opportunity to serve at a senior level, and also that I could continue to serve the Army, Intelligence Corps and Fort Huachuca,” Jennings said. “That may sound corny, but service to me, as it is with so many, is a privilege.”
His numerous accomplishments, both in and out of uniform, include advising five commanding generals, establishing the Army’s first non-kinetic 1LT John R. Fox Multi-Domain Range Complex, leading the civilian support council to develop civilians professionally, and implementing new procedures to reduce the time to fill civilian positions putting USAICoE in the top three for TRADOC best hiring times.
Jennings personally led, taught, coached, and mentored members of the installation’s civilian workforce, and helped junior entrants understand what it takes to be an Army Civilian, how to progress their careers, and to take advantage of training opportunities.
“I am very proud of the many accomplishments we have achieved as a team in the past 7 and a half years. The Army was in the early stages of modernization so the team here and across the Army pulled together to set conditions for 2030, which is our strategic mandate,” he said. “I could list all kinds of things, but will just say, that here at Fort Huachuca, we have a dedicated and professional workforce who works every day to ensure our Soldiers have what they need to fight, and win should that become necessary.”
Maj. Gen. Anthony R. Hale, USAICoE and Fort Huachuca commanding general, said Jennings was the bridge between the civilian workforce and the installation’s service members.
“He has been the continuity between commanding generals during challenging times,” said Maj. Gen. Anthony R. Hale, USAICoE and Fort Huachuca commanding general. “Most of all, Jeff has led by example to prepare for the future of Fort Huachuca, the Department of Defense, and the United States, to compete and win in the multi-domain environment for the future of the Army.”
During the ceremony previous commanding generals such as retired Maj. Gen. Greg Potter, retired Lt. Gen. Robert Ashley, and Lt. Gen. Laura Potter, G-2 deputy chief of staff, spoke about Jennings’ accomplishments while serving with him at USAICoE.
Lt. Gen. Laura Potter reflected on her time as the USAICoE commanding general, noting that Jennings embodied the Army values, but specifically, she talked about his loyalty.
“For anyone who has worked with Jeff, he probably ranks as one of the most loyal colleagues you’ve ever had. I know he was for me,” Potter said. “You would never know if Jeff vehemently disliked or disagreed with you or your decision. His commitment to you, the mission, and the organization was consistently superb.”
Potter recited a quote she said was indicative of Jennings’ character, which is attributed to Maj. Gen. Grenville Dodge’s description of Gen. Ulysses S. Grant.
"The great distinguishing qualities were truth, courage, modesty, generosity and loyalty. He was loyal to every work and every cause in which he was engaged — to his friends, his family, his country and to his God, and it was these characteristics which bound to him with hooks of steel all those who served with him,” she said. “He absolutely sunk himself to give to others honor and praise to which he, himself, was entitled. No officer served under him who did not understand this. He never failed to encourage me by giving me credit for whatever I did or tried to do.”
Jennings’ wife Suzanne was awarded, by the Secretary of the Army, the Meritorious Public Service Medal for serving 11 years as a senior lady to Fort Huachuca and nearly 40 years in support of Jennings’ career and to the Army. Jennings was awarded the Distinguished Civilian Service Award and Certificate, Defense Intelligence Director’s Award, Certificate of Appreciation and Certificate of Retirement.
The ceremony concluded with the casing of the SES flag and final radio call.
Jennings said that serving in the military offered his family the opportunity for a great future, and now both of his sons serve as well in careers that challenge them and give them the opportunity to be a part of something bigger than themselves.
“Being a Soldier and a civilian in the Army changed the trajectory of my life and shaped my family’s future,” Jennings said. “Talk to young people today about the tremendous opportunities offered by the services to not only gain job skills and structure, but leadership, travel, and friendships that last a lifetime.”
More photos can be found on the Fort Huachuca Flickr page: https://www.flickr.com/photos/us_army_fort_huachuca/albums/72177720304146330
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