Colonel (retired) Colby "Bear" Hammonds military service
Colonel (retired) Colby “Bear” Hammonds has over 33 years of military service with North Carolina Army National Guard and the United States Army Reserves. Hammonds started his military career as an enlisted 19K Armor (tank) Crewmember from 1990 until 1995 with North Carolina Army National Guard (NC-ARNG). In 1995, Hammonds then earned his commission as a Second Lieutenant through NC-ARNG Officer Candidate School Class 36 continuing his career as an Armor Officer.
Hammonds successfully completed assignments with Company B 1st Battalion, 252nd Armor Regiment as M1A1 Tank Platoon Leader before transferring to the Aviation branch in 1999. Hammonds deployed under Operation Enduring Freedom to Afghanistan in 2003 as HHC 1/130th Attack Regiment Company Commander with the 10th Mountain Division. Hammonds' second combat deployment was in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom to Iraq in 2008. Hammonds remained within the Aviation Combat Arms until 2013 before transiting to Financial Management (Comptroller) career field. Hammonds performed Comptroller duties for North Carolina Army National Guard from 2014 till 2020. Hammonds has served at every level of the United States Army. His last duty assignment was with the United States Army Forces Command as the G8 Accounting Director. Throughout Hammonds’ military career he has trained, been rated, and/or completed gunnery qualification on M60 Tank, M1 & M1A1 Abrams Tank, M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle, AH-64A “Apache” Attack Helicopter, UH-60A/L “Blackhawk” Utility Helicopter, and the AH-64D “Apache Longbow” Attack Helicopter.
His awards and decorations include: The Legion of Merit Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Army Staff Identification Badge, Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medal, NATO Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters, and the Basic Aviator Wings.
Hammonds is also a recipient of “The Order of the Long Leaf Pine” award from North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper for his many years of service within North Carolina Army National Guard.