Meet Jeremy Commander, U.S. Army — 2024 Veteran

1SG., Delta Company, Heavy Weapons Company, Senior Enlisted Advisor; Retired

First Sergeant (1SG) Jeremy Commander was born in Toms River, New Jersey. He enlisted into the Active Duty Army in January 1997 as an E3 Private First Class (PFC). He attended One Station Basic Training at Fort Benning, Georgia. Upon graduation, he was awarded the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) of 11B/11M Light Infantryman and Mechanized Infantryman where throughout his entire career of 20 years remained in the 11 Series occupational craft.

Then PFC Commander was mobilized and deployed in 1997 to Camp Gary Owen, Kuwait under Operation Desert Thunder with the 3rd Infantry Division assigned to 2-7 IN. The Mission was to secure the border between Iraq and Kuwait to prevent unauthorized entry and destruction of oil mining operations. Following his tour in Kuwait, 1SG Jeremy Commander was assigned to Headquarters Company (HHC) 2-7 IN where he was a part of the Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Attack (NBC) Team and attended NBC Defense School.

1SG Commander's other assignments included Charlie Company 2-7IN Company Commander Driver, 2-7IN Battalion Commander Driver, Charlie Company XO Bradley Fighting Vehicle Gunner. 1SG Commander was honorably discharged as an E4 Specialist in 2001. He would earn the Expert Infantryman's Badge during his first enlistment and awarded the Army Commendation Medal.

Immediately following his 2001 enlistment, 1SG Commander joined Bravo Company 1-124 IN, Florida Army National Guard (FLARNG) in West Palm Beach, Florida. His skills and experience in the active service quickly advanced him to E5 Sergeant (SGT) where he was assigned as an Infantry Team Leader. Shortly after his enlistment into the FLARNG 1SG Commander was mobilized in support of the 9/11 attack under Operation Nobile Eagle in the Fort Lauderdale International Airport conducting airport security operations and training in what is today's TSA Security.

This mobilization extended for 14 months. Shortly thereafter, he returned to Title 10 Active Duty in preparation for Full Spectrum Combat Operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. 1SG Commander was deployed to Izmir Air Base in Turkey, then to Salti Air Base in Jordan where the unit received orders, and was hand selected to lead the advanced party as part of the unit's advancement into Bagdad, Iraq.

Shortly after this, 1SG Commander was attached to Task Force 82 under the command of the 82nd Airborne Division and reassigned on multiple occasions for follow-on missions in AR 'Ramadi, Al Assad Airbase, and IED Surveillance along the remote areas of the Euphrates River. 1SG Commander was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Combat Infantryman's Badge for several combat engagements within the area of operation.

Returning from his 14-month deployment, 1SG Commander attended several training schools and State support missions, was promoted to E6 Staff Sergeant (SSG), was assigned as an Infantry Squad Leader, and supported multiple peacekeeping training missions including Panama, Britain, and Germany.

Between these missions, his leadership and open availability allowed his rapid response in support of three named Hurricanes that directly impacted the state of Florida, aiding the recovery of several counties and communities. Then again in 2010, 1SG Commander was called to duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn, where he was then promoted to E7 Sergeant First Class and assigned as Platoon Sergeant to Alpha Company 1-124 IN, his 38-man Infantry Platoon.

The mission was to conduct Combat Patrols and Route Security with a follow-on mission to escort Troops and equipment from all branches of military out of Iraq into safe havens for return to the US. This was a part of the largest withdrawal of personnel and equipment since WWII, executing over 27 missions that collectively covered over 250,000 miles. 1SG Commander was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his actions.

Returning from Operation New Dawn, SFC Commander was promoted to E8 First Sergeant to Bravo Company 1-124 IN in Cocoa Beach, Florida. Here, he spent a total of 3 years creating unit traditions, building community partnerships, fostering values from the family support groups, and establishing standards that would be adopted into the 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team and Battalions TACSOP.

Photos of Jeremy Commander (Click the image to begin a slide show)
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1SG Commander also developed a Ceremonial SOP for the NCO Induction Ceremony, being the 1st in the State to perform the long-standing tradition. 1SG Commander also trained, mentored, and produced some of the finest NCOs in the State of Florida with over 20 promotions stemming from his direct mentorship. One of 1SG Commanders Soldiers also from his unit was awarded the National Soldier of the Year. Following this period, 1SG Commander was recognized by the State of Florida with the State of Florida Outstanding Service Member Support Award.

In 2015, 1SG Commander was reassigned and notified that his final deployment would be in support of Enduring Freedom – Horn of Africa. 1SG Commander mobilized and deployed as the Headquarters Company (HHC) First Sergeant. During his deployment for one of his missions, he was attached to the AFRICOM J3 and oversaw the enlisted personnel of the largest Multi-National, Multi-Service, Multi-Echelon Emergency Response, Joint Operation Eastern Accord exercise held annually. A total of 9 Countries joined in force to assess and prepare as part of a regional exercise in a staged attack.

Here 1SG Commander led 13 other Combat Advisors who critiqued and mentored parallel and Senior Leaders of several partner Foreign Nations including the host nation, Tanzania, and their militaries. Following this mission 1SG Commander was tasked with managing and overseeing the Battalion and Joint Service Units Service Members return to the State of Florida while arranging and gathering supporting resources for Welcome Home Ceremonies in each hometown.

On multiple occasions spanning the State of Florida, 1SG Commander spared no resource where families and communities celebrated each Service Member's return safely, without incident and with zero loss of equipment. 1SG Commander was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and the Order of Saint Maurice (Centurion).

In 2017, 1SG Commander was assigned to Delta Company, Heavy Weapons Company in West Palm Beach. His final task before retirement was to train all 16 Unique Critical Infantry Tasks, qualify all Heavy Infantry Crew on Table 8 Gunnery and led the passage of over 30 Soldiers within the Battalion to obtain their Expert Infantryman Badge. 1SG Commander had the distinct opportunity to lead some of the first supporting aid packages and security groups, being first on scene during the 2017 named storm, Hurricane Irma of which left a destructive path that swept through the central Florida Keys.

His leadership was key in the quick assessment, security and safety operations for the community, and search and rescue operations in support of Monroe County and surrounding areas. Following these assignments, 1SG Commander accepted his retirement and Change of Responsibility Ceremony in June of 2018. 1SG Commander was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his 20 years of service.

  • Bronze Star Medal – 2nd Award
  • Meritorious Service Medal – 2nd Award
  • Army Commendation Medal – 4th Award
  • Army Achievement Medal – 6th Award
  • Army Good Conduct Medal
  • Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal
  • National Defense Service Medal – 3rd Award
  • Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
  • NCOES Professional Development – 4th Award
  • Army Service Ribbon
  • Overseas Service Ribbon – 3rd Award
  • Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device
  • Global War on Terrorism Service Ribbon
  • Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal with BSS
  • Army Component Overseas Training Ribbon – 3rd Award
  • Florida Meritorious Service Ribbon
  • Florida State Active Duty Ribbon – 4th Award
  • Driver and Mechanic Badge with Mechanic Clasp
  • Combat Infantryman's Badge
  • Expert Infantryman's Badge
  • Order of St Maurice (Centurion)
  • State of Florida Outstanding Service Member Support Award 2017
  • Miami Dolphins Service Member of the Year Award 2017

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Jeff Anderson
CEO/Founder, Rebuilding Warriors