Sergeant First Class Jesse L. Havard, U.S. Army Retired was born in Columbus, Mississippi. He enlisted in the Mississippi Army National Guard in December 2003; attended Basic Combat Training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO; and then attended Advanced Individual Training (AIT) for All-Source Intelligence Analyst at Fort Huachuca, AZ. In 2005, he retrained as a Field Artillery Cannon Crewmember for an impending combat deployment. Subsequently in 2006, he requested and was transferred to the Active Army Component where he served until being medically retired in 2018 due to wounds sustained because of combat operations. Since April 2020, he has served as the Senior Civilian Special Operations Analyst for National Mission Forces within the Strategic Planning Department, Directorate of Force Structure, Resources, and Assessment Directorate, United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). Upon retirement in 2018, he worked in Intelligence Directorate, U.S. Central Command as a Senior Civilian Engagements Officer for the Arabian Peninsula.
He humbly serves as a Member of the Board of Advisors for Camp Resilient of North Carolina. Additionally, he serves as aTackle and Flag Football official for Varsity, Junior Varsity, and Youth for the Florida High School Athletic Association and West Coast Officials Association.
During his career, he served as an Cannoneer, IntelligenceSergeant, Section Leader, Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant,Strategic Intelligence Liaison Officer to Commanding General, ISAF, Targeteer, and NCOIC for a Branch, Battalion, and Brigade Combat Team and Deputy Chief of Targets for Joint Special Operations Command. He has deployed in support of the Global War on Terror and Operations ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM, INHERENT RESOLVE, and ODYSEEY RESOLVE.
He has been assigned to the following units: Bravo Battery, 1st-114th Field Artillery (Forward) out of Winona, MS with duty inAfghanistan; 82d Combat Aviation Brigade, 82d Airborne Division at Ft. Bragg; Intelligence Directorate, United States Central Command at MacDill AFB; 1st Battalion 76th Field Artillery and 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3d Infantry Division (Mech) at Ft. Stewart, GA; and assigned to the Joint Special Operations Command at Ft. Bragg.
His civilian education includes a Master of Business Administration-Project Management (Honors) from Norwich University, Bachelor of General Studies from Columbia College(Magna Cum Laude), and Associate of Applied Science-Intelligence Operations (Honors) from Cochise College.
His awards include the Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal (4th award), Army Commendation Medal (4th award), Joint Service Achievement Medal (2nd award), Army Achievement Medal (3rd award), Joint Meritorious Unit Award (5th award), Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Good Conduct Medal (4th award), National Defense Service Medal, AfghanistanCampaign Medal (3x campaign stars and arrowhead), Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal (1x campaign stars), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (“M” Device), NCO Professional Development Ribbon (3rd award), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (2nd award), NATO Non-Article 5 Medal – ISAF (2x campaign stars), Driver and Mechanic with Driver – Wheeled Vehicles, and the Combat Action Badge. He is a recipient and member of the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara and the LTC Thomas Knowlton Award. He was selected as the 2010 United States Central Command Senior Servicemember of the Year.
He is married to the former Elizabeth Anne Wallace and has three daughters: Virginia, Annabel, and Avalyn.