Colonel Jody Hansen serves as the Professor of Military for Virginia Military Institute. COL Hansen graduated from Washington State University in 1996 and enlisted into the Combat Engineers in 1997. Upon graduation from OCS (DMG) he attended the Field Artillery Basic Course and was assigned to 1-15 FA (2ID) and served as a Company FSO for the 2-9 IN (Manchus) in the Republic of Korea. Following a tour in the Republic of Korea, he was assigned to 3-29 FA (Pacesetters) where he served as platoon leader, Assistance Brigade FSO at Ft. Carson and then deployed as a Battalion Fire Support Officer for the 1-12 IN in Iraq with the 4th Infantry Division.

Following the FA Captain’s Career Course, he served as the TF FSO with 3-71 Cavalry Squadron (10th MTN DIV) and then Bravo Battery Commander of 4-25 FA (10th MTN DIV) ISO of Operation Enduring Freedom in Northern Afghanistan.

Upon graduation from Washington State University with an M.A. in Criminal Justice, COL Hansen was assigned as a Battery O/C-T and then Deputy Senior Fire Support at the JMRC in Hohenfels, Germany. Interim deployments included serving as the CJSOT-F Targeting Officer in Balad, Iraq and as a NTM-A advisor at Camp Julian, Afghanistan.

Following graduation from CGSC and SAMS, COL Hansen was assigned as the 2ID G5 at Camp Red Cloud, ROK, Battalion Executive Officer with 6-37 FA (210 FA BDE) and then Deputy Commanding Officer of 210 FA BDE. Upon transition to Joint Base Lewis-McCord, COL Hansen served as the Individual Training Branch Chief (G3T) for I Corps at JBLM and then commanded the 1-94 Field Artillery Regiment until June of 2019. Following command he was assignment as Chief of the Joint Fires and Effects for LANDCOM (NATO) in Izmir, Turkey. Upon acceptance and graduation from the Army War College, COL Hansen was most recently assigned back home to America’s First Corps as the Corps FSO (DFSCOORD). His most recent deployment was as Strike Director for CJTF-OIR responsible for strike operations ISO of the Military Advisory Group (IRAQ) in 2023-2024. He is currently assigned to the Army ROTC department at Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.

Colonel Hansen is a graduate of the Warriors Leader’s Course, the Field Artillery Basic and Advanced Courses, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and the School of Advance Military Studies. He holds a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice from Washington State University, a Master’s Degree in Military Art and Science from the School of Advanced Military Studies and a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies from the Army War College in Carlisle, PA. Among COL Hansen’s awards and decorations include the Legion Of Merit with C device (oak leaf cluster), Bronze Star Medal (3rd Award), the Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (3rd Award) the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Combat Action Badge, Ranger Tab and the Parachutist Badge.