Colonel Gerald Edward Jenson is a 1963 graduate of Battle Ground High School in Battle Ground, Washington; Clark College, Vancouver, Washington in 1973; Portland State University, Portland, Oregon in 1975; and Troy State University at their Regional-Remote Location in Yongsan Army Garrison, Seoul, Korea, in 1996.

Duty assignments include Commander, Service Battery, 2nd Battalion 146th Field Artillery; Commander, 116th Rear Area Operations Center, Washington National Guard, Camp Murray, Washington; National Guard Senior Advisor, Eighth U.S. Army, Yongsan Garrison, Korea; Commander, Combat Support Coordination Team #2, Taegu, Korea.

His military training and education includes Army Helicopter Maintenance Course, Fort Rucker, Alabama; Armor Officer Candidate School (includes Officer Entry and Basic Courses), Fort Knox, Kentucky; Combat Intelligence Officer Course, Lenggries, Germany; Combat Communications Officer Course, Oberammergau, Germany; Sector/Unit Level, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, (preparation for Vietnam), Field Artillery Officer Basic and Advance Courses, Fort Sill, Oklahoma;  Security Management Course, Navy Base Long Beach, California; United States Army Command and General Staff Course, 6229 United States Army Reserve School and the Brigade and Battalion Command Course, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; Command and General Staff Mobilization and Deployment Planning Course, San Antonio, Texas; Total Quality Management Course (Army National Guard), Professional Education Center, Little Rock. Arkansas; Special Weapons Training Course, Yakima Training Center, Washington.

His military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal w/2 OLC, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal w/ OLC, Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Award, Vietnam Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (3), Anny Overseas Medal (3), Overseas Service Bar, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/ Silver Star, Vietnam Campaign Medal , Disaster Relief Ribbon, National Guard Service Ribbon. COL Jenson's badges include the Combat Infantryman Badge; Republic of Vietnam Combat Armor Badge; Expert Badge ­Ml6 Rifle, Pistol, Submachine Gun, Tank Weapons.