Colonel Jeff Hooks is from Gainesville, Florida and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant through the Officer Candidates Class (OCC) program in December 1987.
After completing The Basic School in Quantico, Va., and the Basic Logistics Officers Course at Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek, Va., he was assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton & 29 Palms Ca. While there, he served as the Assistant Logistics Officer (S4A) and Logistics Officer (S4). During Operation Desert Shield/Storm he served as the 1/7 Combat Train Commander, Task Force Ripper, 1st Marine Division.
In June 1991 Col Hooks was transferred to 3d Recruit Training Battalion, MCRD, Parris Island, SC., he served as a Series/Company Officer, and Battalion Adjutant. In June 1993, he was reassigned to Amphibious Warfare School, MCCDC, Quantico, Va. Upon completion of AWS, Col Hooks was assigned to 2d Landing Support Battalion, 2d FSSG, Camp Lejuene, NC. While there he served as the Operations Officer for MEU Service Support Group 24 (MSSG-24), 24TH MEU (SOC). During this assignment Col Hooks participated in Operations in Haiti as well as two Landing Force Sixth Fleet deployments to the Mediterranean. In January 1997 he assumed command of Engineer Maintenance Company, 2d Maintenance Battalion, 2d FSSG.
In June 1997 Col Hooks was assigned as the Commanding Officer, Combat Service Support Detachment 23 (CSSD-23), 2d FSSG, MCAS, Beaufort, SC. In July 1999, he was assigned as a student at the Marine Corps Command and Staff College, MCCDC, Quantico, Va.
From June 2000 until June 2003, Col Hooks was assigned to the J4, United States Central Command, Tampa, Fl. During the first two years of this assignment he served as the USMC Prepositioning Officer within the Mobility Division. During his final year at CENTCOM, he served as the Executive Assistant to the Director of Logistics (J4), located at Camp Asaliyah, Qatar, during Operation Iraqi Freedom I.
In July 2003 Col Hooks was assigned to the First Marine Division as the Deputy AC/S G4 (OIF I) & AC/S G4 (OIF II). He served in this capacity during the final stages of Operation Iraqi Freedom I, Camp Blue Diamond, Al Hillah, Iraq and Operation Iraqi Freedom II, Camp Blue Diamond, Ar Ramadi, Iraq.
From June 2005 through May 2007, Col Hooks commanded Marine Wing Support Squadron 273, MCAS Beaufort. During this assignment MWSS 273 participated in OIF 05-07.2, Al Asad Air Base. Al Anbar Province, Iraq. From 2007-2008 Colonel Hooks attended the Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery Alabama. Upon completion of AWC, Colonel Hooks was assigned as the Director of the Logistics Operations Center (LOC), Marine Corps Logistics Command, Albany, Georgia.
Colonel Hooks most recent assignment was as the AC/S G4, I Marine Expeditionary Force Forward, Camp Pendleton California & AC/S C4 Regional Command Southwest, Helmand Province, Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom from February 2012 – March 2013.
Col Hooks holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Public Relations and Tele-Communications from Valdosta State College. He is a graduate of the Joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk, VA; and earned a Masters Degree from the Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.
Col Hooks’ personal decorations include the Legion of Merit w/Gold Star, Bronze Star Medal with Combat V and Two Gold Stars, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal w/ Gold Star, Joint Commendation Medal, Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal and the Combat Action Ribbon.