Lieutenant General (Retired) Jay M. Garner was appointed as the Director of the Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance in January 2003.
The post-conflict planning office was established in late January by the Department of Defense under the auspices of a Presidential Directive to assist the Iraqi people in the immediate aftermath of combat operations.
Prior to this appointment, Garner served as President of SY Technology, Inc. since September 1, 1997.
Garner served as a member of the Army Science Board in 1998-1999 and was appointed by Congress as a member of the Commission to Assess United States National Security Space Management and organization in 2000-2001. He currently serves on the USSTRATCOM Strategic Advisory Board.
General Garner served as Commanding General of the U.S. Army Space and Strategic Defense Command (USASSDC), headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. He also served as the Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Force Development, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans, Washington, D.C., and Deputy Commanding General, V Corps Frankfurt Germany.
In 1991 he was Commanding General, Joint Task Force Bravo - Operation Provide Comfort in northern Iraq.
Other assignments include Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Air Defense School. He commanded at Brigade and Battalion level in VII Corps in Europe. He served two tours in Viet Nam, 1967-68, 1971-72.
His last assignment with the United States Army was as the Assistant Vice Chief of Staff of the Army (AVCSA).
His awards include the Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Defense Superior Service medal with oak leaf cluster, the Legion of Merit with five oak leaf clusters, the Bronze Star Medal, the meritorious Service medal with oak leaf cluster, the Air Medal, the Joint Services Commendation medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Parachutist Badge, and the Army General Staff Identification Badge.
Jay Garner was born in Arcadia, Florida on April 15, 1938. He was graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor's Degree in History. He obtained a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania. His military service began with the Florida Army National Guard. He continued his service to the nation as an enlisted Marine and, in 1962, was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army.
Source: Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance
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