Colonel Jeff A. Heaton, a native of Greenville, SC began his military career in the U.S. Air Force in 1989, serving as a C-141 Crew Chief at McChord Air Force Base, WA. Colonel Heaton served in the Air Force Reserves from 1993 to 1996 at Charleston Air Force Base. In March of 1996, he enlisted into the South Carolina Army National Guard, Company C, 151
st Signal Battalion. Colonel Heaton attended Officer Candidate School at the Palmetto Military Academy, class 48, and commissioned as a Signal Officer in 1997.
COL Heaton began his signal career as a Platoon Leader in Company C, 111
th Signal Battalion in Hodges, SC. COL Heaton served in various assignments in the 111
th Signal Battalion until accepting a full-time Training Officer position in the 151
st Signal Battalion in May 2002. He served as the Assistant S-3 during the 151
st Signal Battalion’s deployment to Iraq in 2003. From 2005 through 2012 Colonel Heaton served in the 151
st Signal Battalion in various positions to include Company Commander, Battalion S4, S3, XO as well as the Full-Time Administrative Officer. In 2010-2011 he deployed again with the 151
st in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn. Colonel Heaton also served as the 151
st Battalion Commander and 228
th TTSB Administrative Officer from 2013-2015. From 2015 through 2019 COL Heaton served as the Recruiting and Retention Battalion Commander followed by an assignment as the Deputy G1. COL Heaton served as the G1, Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel from 2019 to 2023. COL Heaton is currently serving as the Chief of Staff.
Colonel Heaton is a graduate of Southern Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. His military education includes the Signal Officer Basic and Advanced courses, the Combined Arms Services Staff School, and the Command and General Staff College. Colonel Heaton also earned a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College.
Awards
Bronze Star Medals (2)
Meritorious Service Medals (6)
Army Commendation Medals (4)
Air Force Commendation Medal
Army Achievement Medal
Air Force Good Conduct Medal
Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal
National Defense Service Medals (2)
Iraqi Campaign Medals (2)
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal
Army Service Ribbon
Overseas Service Ribbon
Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon
Air Force Training Ribbon
Meritorious Unit Commendations (2)
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Combat Action Badge
Signal Corps Regimental Association’s Bronze Order of Mercury.