Jeffrey W. Talley
Jeffrey W. Talley (born September 27, 1959) is a retired three-star general in the United States Army. During his almost 35 years of active and reserve military service, he led Soldiers at every level, while also establishing himself in civilian life as an accomplished academic and business leader. In 2012, Talley was appointed by the President to serve as the 32nd Chief of Army Reserve (CAR) and Commanding General of the United States Army Reserve Command (USARC),[1] an organization of approximately 215,000 Soldiers and civilians, 134 general officers and senior executives, with an annual operating budget of approximately $9 billion, and activities in over 30 countries, including all states and territories. His unique military and civilian contributions were recognized by the U.S. Senate with "Tribute to Lt. General Talley" on June 28, 2016, as reflected in the congressional record, on the occasion of his retirement from the Army [2]
Immediately after his military retirement, Talley joined the International Business Machines (IBM) Corporation where he serves as Vice President, Global Public Sector, and Global Fellow, IBM Center for The Business of Government.[3] He also holds a faculty appointment as a Professor of the Practice in the Price School of Public Policy and the Viterbi School of Engineering, and Scholar-in-Residence, Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab, Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California. Additionally, he serves on the Board of Directors for BluMetric, a diverse water earth, and energy company.[4]
Prior to his current appointments, Talley's career transitioned back and forth between academic, business, and government positions. Academic positions held were Assistant Professor (tenure-track), Associate Professor (with tenure), Professor (with tenure), Department Chair, Endowed Chair, Institute Director, and Adjunct Professor; with faculty appointments at the University of Notre Dame, Southern Methodist University, and The Johns Hopkins University. Talley was also an Advanced Leadership Fellow and Cabot House Scholar-in-Residence at Harvard University. Business experiences range from President & CEO of Environmental Technology Solutions, a holding company in Arizona that owned multiple tech companies, to consulting services as an Associate for Malcolm Pirnie, a well-respected Architect-Engineering firm. Government service includes numerous military command and staff positions, and federal civil service with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Talley holds a PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, an Executive MBA from the University of Oxford, England, an MSE from The Johns Hopkins University, an MLA from Washington University in St. Louis, an MSS from the U.S. Army War College, an MA from Assumption College, and an BS from Louisiana State University. He is a registered Professional Engineer (PE) in Environmental Engineering, a Board-Certified Environmental Engineer (BCEE) in Sustainability, and a Diplomate, Water Resources Engineer (D.WRE).
Early life and family
Talley was born in St. Louis, Missouri, but moved at a young age to Northern Virginia. In 1977, he graduated from Yorktown High School in Arlington, Virginia. After spending his freshman year of college at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, he transferred to Louisiana State University (LSU) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. While at LSU, he met his future wife, Linda R. Hall, of Mandeville, Louisiana. They were married on campus in 1981. Over the course of the next 35 years of active and reserve military service, they would move 26 times. They have three sons and a daughter, Christopher, Joshua, Matthew, and Ashley.
Education and academia
Talley’s love for the outdoors and strong interest in the environment led him to pursue undergraduate studies in the area of natural resource management. In 1981, he graduated from Louisiana State University (LSU) with a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Forestry and began his career with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Soon after his career began, he quickly decided he needed to combine his natural resource management skills with civil and environmental engineering.
While serving in his first Army assignment at Ft. Devens, Massachusetts, Talley sought to pursue studies in engineering, but these courses were not offered during a time that he could attend. Wanting to do something academically, he began taking graduate courses in humanities at nearby Assumption College in Worcester, Massachusetts. In 1985, he received a Master of Arts (MA) degree in Religious Studies.
Talley continued his academics interest at Washington University in St. Louis, while working for the St. Louis District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. His still wanted to pursue an engineering degree, but the scheduling of engineer courses were not compatible with part-time study. To better himself with a broader education, he enrolled in a graduate program focusing on history and philosophy. In 1988, he received a Master of Liberal Arts (MLA) degree.
In 1991, Talley was assigned to the Baltimore District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, where he resumed his goal of obtaining an engineering degree. Realizing he needed to take significant undergraduate foundation courses in math, physics, and engineering to meet the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) requirements; he decided to leave the Regular Army, transitioned to the Army Reserve, and enroll in engineering classes at The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. In 1995, he received a Master of Science in Engineering (MSE).
In the fall of 1997, with the financial support of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Talley began his doctorate studies in engineering at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Within 12 months, he had completed all his coursework and passed his oral/written comprehensive exams. He successfully defended his work in August of 2000, receiving a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering. His dissertation research won the U.S. Department of Defense’s Strategic Environmental Research and Development (SERDP) project of the year award.[5]
Talley’s academic studies re-focused on military science with his selection to attend the U.S. Army War College Distance Education Program in 2001. Through a series of distance learning and resident sessions at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, he completed his studies in 2003 and was awarded a Master of Strategic Studies (MSS) degree.
Nearly seven years would pass before Talley would return to school as a student one final time. In 2010, he began an executive graduate program in business at the University of Oxford, England. Over the next 22 months, he would commute to and from England, while juggling his family, Army Reserve, and civilian work responsibilities. While at Oxford, he would also create a series of tech start-ups with one of his classmates, winning the Saïd Business School Venture Fund Competition for best new start-up. In 2011, he graduated from Keble College, University of Oxford, with an Executive MBA degree.
Military career
The Cadet Years (1978-1981)
Talley began his military career at Louisiana State University (LSU) on an Army ROTC Scholarship and was a Cadet of the Ole War Skul. As a cadet, he graduated from the U.S. Army Airborne School at Ft. Benning, Georgia and was Distinguished Honor Graduate from the U.S. Army Air Assault School at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. His senior year, he was the Commander of Pershing Rifles Company D-16 and an Officer in the Scabbard and Blade. He graduated from LSU in December of 1981 as a Distinguished Military Graduate, receiving a Regular Army commission as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (motto - Essayons - “Let us Try”).
The Regular Army (1981-1992)
Upon graduation and commissioning from LSU, Talley completed Engineer Officers Basic Course (EOBC) at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia, and the U.S. Army Ranger School at Ft. Benning, Georgia. Afterwards, he reported to his first permanent duty assignment at Ft. Devens, Massachusetts, where he served with the 39th Engineer Battalion (motto - “Fight, Build, & Destroy”) as 1st Platoon Leader, Alpha Company, and later as Battalion Adjutant (S-1). In August of 1985, Talley was promoted to Captain, en-route to his next assignment with the St. Louis District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, where he worked in Construction Division on Lock & Dam 26 (Replacement), the largest civil works project in the U.S. at that time. Later, he would serve in both Engineering and Planning Divisions.
Following his assignment in St. Louis, Talley returned to Ft. Belvoir, VA for the Engineer Officers Advance Course (EOAC). Upon graduation, he volunteered to go to the Republic of Korea for an unaccompanied assignment with the 44th Engineer Battalion (motto - “Builders of Freedom”), Eight U.S. Army (EUSA). After a short stint as Assistant Battalion Operations Officer (Assistant S-3) at Camp Mercer (vicinity Seoul), he took command of Bravo Company and Camp Nimble (Dongducheon), in support of 2nd Infantry Division and its demilitarized zone (DMZ) mission.
After two years in Korea, Talley returned to the U.S. for Combined Arms Service Staff School (CAS3) at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. Upon graduation, he was assigned to the Baltimore District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, where he worked in the Hazardous Toxic Radiological Waste (HTRW) Branch of Engineering Division. There, he supported the design and remediation of contaminated sites around the country, including the Times Beach Superfund project in Missouri, considered by many to be the most toxic site in America. In April of 1992, Talley resigned his Regular Army commission, leaving active duty as a senior Captain, and transferring to the U.S. Army Reserve.
The Army Reserve (1992-2012)
Talley’s first assignment in the Army Reserve was Assistant Operations Officer (Assistant S-3), 315th Engineer Group (motto - “Building the Way”), New Cumberland Army Depot, New Cumberland, Pennsylvania. In December of 1993, he was promoted to Major and subsequently serve as the Group’s Operations Officer (S-3). Following his assignment at the Group, he was assigned to the 365th Engineer Battalion (motto - “Fast-Rugged”) in Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania, where he served as the Battalion Operations Officer (S-3). While at the 365th, he also graduated from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC).
Talley relocated in April of 1996 to Vicksburg, Mississippi, to join the 412th Engineer Command (motto - “Build to Serve”). While at the 412th, he served as the Commanding General’s personal Plans Officer, and later as Commandant. After two years in command, he returned to the 365th Engineer Battalion to be the Battalion Executive Officer (XO), only to return to the 412th Engineer Command a year later to serve as its Secretary General Staff (SGS). Selected early for battalion command, Major Talley left the 412th Engineer Command in February of 1999 to take command of the 365th Engineer Battalion. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in April of 2000.
While in battalion command, Talley was selected for Senior Service College, which he began through the U.S. Army War College’s (USAWC) Distance Education Program. Upon completion of command in February of 2002, Talley became the Deputy Operations Officer (Deputy G-3) at the 416th Engineer Command (motto - “Serving by Building”) in Darien, Illinois. In December 2002, he was called to active duty and in February of 2003, he mobilized and deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraq Freedom as Chief of Operations (CHOPS), 416th Engineer Command, Coalition Joint Forces Land Component Command (CJFLCC). While in theater, Talley served as a critical staff officer for the planning and execution of hundreds of combat and construction missions throughout Kuwait and Iraq. He was awarded the Bronze Star. Upon his return, he resumed his studies at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, receiving his diploma and Master of Strategic Studies (MSS) degree in July 2003.
Upon graduation from the U.S. Army War College, Talley served in the Pentagon as a Strategic Planner in the Deputy Directorate for the War on Terrorism, Strategic Plans & Policy Directorate (J-5), Joint Chiefs of Staff. Promoted to Colonel in February of 2005, he was subsequently reassigned to command the 926th Engineer Group (motto - “Mission Above All”) in Montgomery, Alabama. The 926th was the largest engineer group in the Total Army, with over 7,000 Soldiers scattered across multiple states. As part of an Army force structure change, the group was selected to reorganize and re-designate as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 926th Engineer Brigade. At that time, reserve brigades were one-star commands. Talley was selected to be its first General Officer and was promoted to Brigadier General in August of 2007.
In January 2008, Talley was called to active duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as Commander, 926th Engineer Brigade, 4th Infantry Division (motto - “Steadfast and Loyal), Multi-National Division - Baghdad and the Baghdad Provincial Engineer. While in Iraq, Talley is credited with developing a military and policy strategy widely referred to as “Engineering the Peace” that aimed to reduce violence in destabilized communities by rapidly rebuilding infrastructure, schools and hospitals. His work is credited with reducing violence and terrorism in the militia stronghold of Sadr City in Baghdad, and he was awarded two Bronze Stars - one for his efforts in rebuilding Baghdad, and the other for meritorious achievement in combat during the January 2009 planning and execution of security operations for the Baghdad provincial elections.
Upon return from Iraq, Talley assumed command of the 84th Training Command (motto - “Strike Hard”) at Ft. Knox, Kentucky in June of 2009 and was promoted to Major General. At the 84th, he was responsible for training and assessing the readiness of units through Combat Training Center-like exercises in preparation for their upcoming combat deployments. While in command, he also served on the Secretary of Defense's Reserve Forces Policy Board. On March 20, 2012, President Obama nominated Talley to be the Chief of Army Reserve and Commanding General, U.S. Army Reserve Command. Talley relinquished command of the 84th Training Command in April of 2012 and was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal. He was subsequently reassigned to the Office of Chief of Army Reserve (OCAR) at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia. On May 3, 2012, Talley was confirmed by the Senate for appointment to the rank of Lieutenant General and assignment as the Chief of the Army Reserve and Commanding General, U.S. Army Reserve Command.
Chief of Army Reserve and Commanding General, U.S. Army Reserve Command (2012-2016)
Talley was appointed to the rank of Lieutenant General in the Regular Army on June 9, 2012, at a ceremony at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. Immediately after his appointment, he assumed command of the U.S. Army Reserve Command (USARC) and was sworn in as the 32nd Chief of Army Reserve. General Raymond T. Odierno, 38th Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, officiated the appointment, the change of command, and the swearing-in ceremonies.
As the Chief of the Army Reserve, Talley was the principal staff adviser to the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army on all Army Reserve Affairs. He developed Army Reserve budgets, training programs and policy decisions; managed the Army Reserve troop program units, individual mobilization augmentees, and the active guard/reserve program; and served as the appropriation director of all Army Reserve funds. As the Commanding General, U.S. Army Reserve Command, Talley commanded all Army Reserve troops in the Continental U.S. and had administrative control over the Army Reserve troops overseas, with a total end strength of 205,000 Soldiers and over 12,000 civilians.
During Talley’s tenure, the Army Reserve mobilized over 62,000 Soldiers to over 30 countries, including continued support to operations in Iraq and Afghanistan; all while overcoming “unprecedented challenges, including the first reduction to the Reserve force since the end of the Korean War, severe budget cuts known as sequestration, a government shutdown and more. To improve the Army Reserve’s support to the Total Force, Talley developed the “Plan, Prepare and Provide” readiness model that placed Army Reserve Engagement Cells and Teams into every Army service component command and combatant command around the world. He also created the Reserve's Private Public Partnership program, which built partnerships with civilian companies and organizations and helps Soldiers and their families find employment or advance their careers in the private sector.
Talley relinquished command to General Robert B. "Abe" Abrams, the commanding general of U.S. Army Forces Command, on June 1, 2016, at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina.
Retirement from the U.S. Army
Talley retired from the U.S. Army on June 30, 2016 at the rank of Lieutenant General, having served almost 35 years in active and reserve assignments. Talley and his wife Linda were honored at a Special Retirement Review at Conmy Hall at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Virginia. The ceremony was conducted by the 3rd U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard) and hosted by General Mark A. Milley, 39th Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army. Talley was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal.
Dates of rank
| Rank | Date |
|---|---|
 Second Lieutenant |
December 19, 1981 |
 First Lieutenant |
June 19, 1983 |
 Captain |
August 1, 1985 |
 Major |
December 18, 1993 |
 Lieutenant Colonel |
April 12, 2000 |
 Colonel |
February 17, 2005 |
 Brigadier General |
August 13, 2007 |
 Major General |
June 19, 2009 |
 Lieutenant General |
June 9, 2012 |
Medals and ribbons
References
- ^ "Talley takes command of Army Reserve". Army Reserve News. June 12, 2012.
Lt. Gen. Jeffrey W. Talley assumed command of the U.S. Army Reserve Command at a ceremony at Ft. Bragg, N.C., June 9, 2012.
- ^ "Tribute to Lieutenant General Jeffrey W. Talley". Congressional Record. June 28, 2016.
Mr. McCain. Mr. President, today I honor a dedicated soldier and business entrepreneur who has demonstrated illustrious service to our Nation while in uniform and in private, public, and academic sectors...
- ^ "Dr. Jeffrey Talley". Biography. 2018.
Dr. Talley is a Global Fellow with the IBM Center for The Business of Government and Vice President, Global Public Sector, IBM Global Business Services.
- ^ "Dr. Jeffrey Talley". March 28, 2019.
Dr. Talley is a Global Fellow with the IBM Center for The Business of Government and Vice President, Global Public Sector, IBM Global Business Services.
- ^ "Assessment and Prediction of Biostabilization of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) in Sediments". U.S. Department of Defense’s Strategic Environmental Research and Development. January 2001.
External links
- U.S. Army Senior Leader Bio. "Lieutenant General Jeffrey W. Talley". Archived from the original on 18 April 2016. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
