LTC William W. Hansen graduated from Officer Candidate School Class 2-63 (USAR), 51st Company on 27 April 1963, and was commissioned an Armor Officer in August 1963. His first duty assignment was in the Army Reserves while he attended the University of Utah and graduated with his B.S. Degree in History. LTC Hansen entered active duty in July 1967.

His subsequent duty assignments were: Chief Instructor, 1st AIT Brigade, Fort Dix, New Jersey; Squadron S- 2, 1st Squadron, 11 Armored Cavalry Regiment, Long Giao, Vietnam; Charlie Troop Commander, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Vietnam; Student, Armor Officer Advanced Course, Fort Knox, Kentucky; ROTC Instructor, University of Utah; Asst S-3, Headquarters, 11th Armored Calvary Regiment, Fulda, Germany; Bravo Troop Commander, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fulda, Germany; Plans Officer/Assistant Operations Officer for the Corps G-3, V (U.S.) Corps Headquarters, Frankfurt, Germany; Aide-De-Camp for General Donn Starry, Training and Doctrine Command, Fort Monroe, Virginia; Student, Navy Command and Staff College, Newport, RI; Squadron XO of First Squadron, 10th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colorado; Division Staff, 4th Infantry, Fort Carson, Colorado; Squadron Commander, First Squadron, 10th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colorado; Student, U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania; Leader, Chief of Staff Army Assessment and Initiatives Group (CAIG) at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

His military education and training includes: Infantry Officer OCS, Armor Officer Basic Course Jungle Course, Armor Officer Advanced Course, Airborne Course, Company Commander Course, Naval Command and Staff Course, U.S. Army War College.

LTC Hansen's highest military awards include: Silver Star Medal w/1 OLC, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal w/1 OLC, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal (1 OLC), Presidential Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Gold Star, General Staff Identification Badge, Parachutist Badge, South Vietnamese Presidential Unit Citation.
Following his retirement from the Army in 1987, Mr. Hansen served 24 years in senior leadership positions at Ford Aerospace, Martin Marietta and the Lockheed Martin Corporation. These responsibilities included Vice President, Army Programs and Special Operations; Vice President, Direct Combat and Missile Defense and Strike Weapons; and Vice President, Information and Services Technology for both civil and commercial programs. He has contributed to the development of U.S. Army operational concepts and doctrine, led transition teams for major Army commands as an advisor, published articles in professional journals, and contributed to several books.

Mr. Hansen was a speaker and introduced the keynote speaker, GEN Colin Powell, at the 25th Anniversary of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in 2007. He was a 2013 Honoree at the University of Utah Veteran's Day Ceremony. He serves on the Army Science Board and has served on the Board of Directors of the National Defense University. He is the founder and CEO of the Warriors Afield Legacy Foundation, a 501(c)3 charitable foundation that has hosted over 900 wounded and troubled veterans on outdoor excursions all over the United States. These excursions last from 3-5 days and provide veterans one-on-one mentorship throughout the experience - all at no cost to the veterans. He is also currently the President of Cavalry Creek Consulting Group, LLC, which provides advice and consult to Military and Civilian leaders.