CSM JEFFERY A. HOF

Command Sergeant Major Jeffery A. Hof

Command Sergeant Major Jeffery A. Hof  hails from Texas and entered the United States Army in 1983. He attended One Station Unit Training (OSUT) at Fort Sill, Oklahoma where he was trained as a Fire Support Specialist.

Upon completion of his advance individual skills training as a forward observer he would travel to Europe for his first assignment with the storied 8^th Infantry Division; beginning his career at Lee Barracks, in Mainz, Germany as a forward observer for 2^nd Battalion 87^th Infantry Regiment.

Having sharpened his new skills at a forward observer and completing his first overseas assignment, CSM Hof sought to earn the opportunity to serve with the nation’s most elite infantry regiment, 75^th Ranger Regiment. He would complete in succession Ranger Assessment Selection Program (RASP), Pre-Ranger and Ranger School (Class 03-86) and finally join the newly reactivated 3^rd Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment at Ft Benning, Georgia in 1985.

He assumed the duties and responsibilities as a platoon forward observer, company fire support sergeant and would ultimately change his career management field (CMF) to Infantry and became a rifle platoon weapons squad leader for Alpha Company, 3^rd Bn 75^th Ranger Regt.

Seasoned leaders from the 75^th Ranger Regiment were the most influencial mentors that shaped CSM Hof’s understanding of inspired, engaged and competant leadership during his early formative years. He was taught to adherence to rigid standards, how to create a culture that encouraged professional growth and allowed for an environment that allowed subordinates to excel to their fullest potencial. He came to understood and apreciate the importance of General Abrams Charter and after maturing as an elite infantry ranger he moved on to make the rest of the Army better. 

His subsequent positions and duty assignments have included: Senior Patrol Instructor assigned to Platoon Confidence Training (PCT), Bad Toelz, Germany (1989-1991); Rifle & Scout Platoon Sergeant, 5th Battalion 502nd Infantry Regiment, Berlin Brigade, Berlin, Germany(1991-1994); Senior Infantry Platoon Observer/Controller, JRTC, Fort Polk, Louisiana(1994-1996); and Bradley Company Platoon Sergeant, 4th Infantry Division(1996).

He would further develop his senior tactical leadership skills as a Bradley Company First Sergeant of three M2 Bradley Companies with the Ivy Division. Culminating as the Charlie Company, 2^nd Bn 8^th Infantry Regiment 1SG, of which under his tenured leadership the first Company in the Army to tested, fielded and subsequently deployed to combat the M2A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle. After graduation of the United States Sergeants Major Academy CSM Hof would return to Ft Hood and assume the duties as the 2^nd Bn 8^th Infantry Regiment S3 Operations Sergeant Major. Within months of his return he would deployed in support of combat operations in the liberation of Iraq – Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003-2004).

After a long year of tough combat in Iraq, CSM Hof was selected as a Command Sergeant Major (designee) and would volunteer to return to combat in support of the global war on terrorism as the Bn CSM for 1^st Bn 508^th Airborne Infantry – TF Fury, of the legendary 173^rd Airborne Brigade based in Kaserma Ederly, Vicenza, Italy. They would be tasked to conduct full-spectrum operations in Paktika, Afghanistan as part of Regional Command – East (RC-E) during OEF 5 (2005-2006). CSM Hof returned to Vicenza, Italy and would become part of the Army’s brigade combat team modular transformation by assuming the reigns as the Command Sergeant Major of the 1^st Bn 503^rd Airborne Infantry, TF First Rock, (2006).

 As part of  his senior enlisted leadership development CSM Hof was selected to assume the duties as the Garrison CSM of the largest and most diverse installation in the Army; United States Army Garrison – Ft Hood. (2006-2008).

He would susequently return to a operational force deploying combat unit, assuming the prestigious duty as the 2^nd Brigade (Blackjack) Combat Team CSM of First Cavalry Division (2008-2010. The Blackjack Brigade would complete a condensed manning and equipping cycle followed by an arduous training regimen prior to returning to combat. The Blackjack Brigade would conduct full spectrum operations in Kirkuk, Iraq. The brigade would set the template that reduced Kurd-Arab tensions, matured the police primacy within Kirkuk City and would set the conditions for the first joint manned checkpoint operations within the internal disputed boundaries vicinity Kirkuk City.

Acknowledging the unique combat leadership skills that CSM Hof possessed he was personally selected to assume duties of increased  responsibilities as a Nominative level Command Sergeant Major, he would become the 11^th Post Command Sergeant Major of JRTC & Ft Polk, Louisiana (2010-2011). Unwilling to rest on an already accomplished career, CSM Hof would volunteer to return to combat, and was selected to assume the reigns as the NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan (NTM-A) Command Senior Enlisted Leader.  NTM-A is a developmental organization that is responsible for force generation – manning, equipping and training the Afghanistan Security Force (ANSF) as a primary core competency in addition to advising the development of national level ministerial capability. (2011-present)

 CSM Hof’s awards and decorations include; Legion of Merit (w/oak leaf cluster), Bronze Star (w/two oak leaf clusters), Meritorious Service Medal (w/three oak leaf clusters), Army Commendation Medal (w/two oak leaf clusters), Army Achievement Medal (w/three oak leaf clusters), Iraq Campaign Medal (w/three campaign stars), Afghanistan Campaign Medal (w/two campaign stars),  Army Valorous Unit Award, Army Meritorious Unit Award, Army Superior Unit Award,  National Defense Service Medal (w/one star), Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (w/numeral four), Southwest Asia Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Ranger Tab, Expert Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Military Freefall Badge, German Parachutist Badge, and German Schutzenschnur (Silver). He has also been awarded Combat Infantryman Badge. In addition CSM Hof competed for selection and was inducted into the prestigious Sergeant Morales Club (1993).

As an accomplished senior leader CSM Hof has attended and graduated the following military schools; US Army Airborne School, Ranger School (Class 03-86), Soviet Light Weapons Course, Naval Gunfire Spotter Course, Joint Fire Control Course, 75^th Ranger Regiment Jumpmaster Course, Military Freefall School, Air Assault Course, Pathfinder School, Bradley Leaders Course, First Sergeant Course. As part of the life long learning and continuos leadership development as part of his professional military education,  CSM Hof  has completed all his NCOES through the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy (resident Class 52), Installation Management Command (IMCOM) – Garrison Command Sergeants Major Course and is a Keystone Command Senior Enlisted Fellow – National Defense University – Keystone Leader Course in joint and combined studies (2008).