Colonel Jeffery J. Files was commissioned as a Quartermaster Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School class 5-90 at Fort Benning, Georgia, 24 August 1990. His first duty assignment was as a POL Platoon Leader, Company A, 106 BSB, Prentis, Mississippi.

His subsequent duty assignments were: POL Platoon Leader, Co. A, 106 BSB; Supply Platoon Leader, Co. A, 106 BSB; Material Control Officer, HHC, 106 BSB; Intelligence Officer, HHC, 106 BSB; Commander, Co. A, 106 BSB; Transportation Officer, 106 BSB; Environmental Compliance Officer, MSARNG JFH; Environmental Officer, MSARNG JFH; Force, Integration Readiness Officer, MSARNG JFH; Automation Officer/Operations Officer S-3, 106 SB (Iraq); Logistics Officer S-4 /MSARNG JTF Mag J-4, 66 TRP CMD; Commander, 106 BSB; Deputy G-4, MSARNG JFH; Operations Officer S-3, 66 TRP CMD; Executive Officer/Chief of Staff, 66 TRP CMD; BDGE Support Operations Officer, 184 ESC; Operations Officer G-3, 184 ESC; Operations Officer G-3, 1 TSC (OCP), 184 ESC (Kuwait) and OIC, MSARNG Covid-19 Logistics Task Force.

Colonel Files’s military education and training includes: Officer Candidate School, Fort Benning, Georgia; Quartermaster Officer Basic Course, Fort Lee, VA; Military Intelligence Officer Transition Course Fort Huachuca, AZ; Quartermaster Officer Advance Course, Fort Lee, Virginia; Combined Service Staff Course, Fort Dix, NJ; Environmental Compliance Course, Jackson, Mississippi; Command and General Staff Course, Fort Dix, New Jersey; Support Operations Course, Camp Robinson, Arkansas; Joint Operation Course, Jackson, Mississippi; FMS TAMMIS Readiness Course, Camp Robinson, Arkansas; Battle Command Sustainment Support System Course, Camp Shelby, Mississippi; Sustainment Pre-Command Course, Fort Lee, Virginia; Theater Sustainment Course, CSJFORTC, MS; Senior Service College (U.S. Army War College), Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania; Joint Domestic Operations Course; and Phase I, Defense Support of Civil Authorities.

Colonel Files is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor of Science Degree, Business Administration distinction and the U.S. Army War College with a Master of Science Degree, Strategic Studies distinction.

Colonel File’s overseas service includes Iraq, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM; Kuwait, in support of Operation SPARTAN SHIELD; and Poland, in support of Saber Strike 2018. His humanitarian service includes: “Hurricane Gustav” a category 4 hurricane; “Hurricane Ike” a category 4 hurricane; and the COVID-19 Logistics Task Force (Mississippi).

His military awards include the Combat Action Badge, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2), Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (8), National Defense Service Medal (2), Iraq Campaign Medal (CS), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (2)(M), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (3), Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon. Colonel Files’ Army National Guard awards include the Mississippi Magnolia Medal (2), Mississippi Commendation Medal, Mississippi Medal of Efficiency (2), Mississippi War Medal, Mississippi Emergency Service Medal (2), and the Mississippi Longevity Medal (6). Colonel Files is the recipient of the Ancient Military Order of St. Christopher and the Distinguished Military Order of St Martin.

Colonel Files is a founding member of the Mississippi Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) & Infant Safety Alliance, a non-profit organization which provides support and information to families and professionals within Mississippi. Since 2000, he has worked to provide up-to-date research and proven information to families and to ensure the continuation of SIDS research. Colonel Files donates hundreds of hours annually to ensure events such as Cribs for Kids, the Anna Clare Memorial Golf Tournament, the Lucky Duck Draw Down, Shopping for SIDS/Scarecrow Car Show and the Little Feet for Safe Sleep Run/Walk are successful. As a senior board member, his leadership ensures Alliance members are providing grief support, training and education, sponsoring research, and raising awareness to provide safe sleep environments for infants.

For five years, Colonel Files volunteered and supported the Shiloh Lodge Semi-annual Youth and Young Adult Special Needs Hunts. He worked diligently to ensure accessible hunting blinds were constructed, food plots were planted, transportation needs were meet, on-site lodging and care was provided. Colonel Files’ provided hunting guide services and game processing for more than one hundred guests, providing many with a once-in-a-life-time opportunity and memories. The multiple day hunts were at no cost to the guests and was part of the lodge’s wildlife preservation program.