MADISON – Colonel Jeff Blackwood retired from the U.S. Army after 31 years of service.

Enlisting in 1976 and commissioned in Transportation Corps in 1978, Blackwood served on active duty at numerous sites, including ADA Center, Fort Bliss, Texas; HQ I Corps, Camp Red Cloud, Korea; U.S. Army Garrison, Fort Sheridan, Ill.; and the 29th Transportation Battalion, Fort Campbell, Ky.

As an Army Reserve officer not on active duty, Blackwood commanded the Headquarters Det, 1188th Transportation Terminal Unit, East Point, Ga.; the 199th Air Terminal Movement Control Det, Washington, D.C.; and the 1575th Log. Spt. Bn, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.

He served in two mobilizations for Global War on Terrorism, one stateside with U.S. Transportation Command at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., during Operation NOBLE EAGLE, and one with the 21st Theater Support Command in Germany.

His combat service was with Joint Task Force – Cobra/69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade theater ballistic missile defense force in Israel during Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM. Blackwood’s final assignment was with Joint Forces Headquarters-National Capital Region/Army Military District of Washington in Fort McNair, D.C.

Of the 23 years as Department of Defense civilian employee, Blackwood worked 10 years with the Army between Fort Sheridan; Fort McPherson, Ga; and Fort Meade, Md. He then transferred to the Air Force and worked 13 years with U.S. Transportation Command at Scott Air Force Base.

A native of Jackson, Tenn., Blackwood earned a bachelor’s degree in business management at David Lipscomb College, a master’s degree in management from Webster University and completed a master’s in Strategic Studies from the Army War College.

His honors include Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal and two presentations of Oak Leaf Cluster.

In 2007, the Blackwoods retired in Henderson, Tennessee, but in 2015 moved to Madison. Jeff and his wife Carol have been married 33 years. They worship at Madison Church of Christ.

Their son, Tyler, is a freshman at James Clemens High School and a cadet in the JCHS Army JROTC program. Blackwood is president of the Redstone-Huntsville (Provisional) Chapter of the National Defense Transportation Association and Acting President of the JCHS Army JROTC Booster Club.