Biography

Colonel Jeffery L. Starr enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1995. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 2003 and earned the Counterintelligence/Human Intelligence (CI/HUMINT) military occupational specialty.

In 2004, Colonel Starr reported to 2nd Intelligence Battalion, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, from which he deployed three times in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. From 2007 to 2009, he served as director of the MAGTF CI/HUMINT Course.

In 2009, Colonel Starr reported to Marine Forces Pacific to serve as a staff CI/HUMINT officer, supporting multiple U.S. Indo-Pacific Command security cooperation exercises, including BALIKATAN, COBRA GOLD, and KEY RESOLVE.

In 2011, he reported to 1st Intelligence Battalion, Camp Pendleton, California. During this tour, he deployed in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM as the battalion operations officer and executive officer (Forward). In 2013, he redeployed to Afghanistan as the CI/HUMINT company commander and G2X for Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan.

Colonel Starr attended Marine Corps Command and Staff College, after which he reported to Intelligence Division, Headquarters Marine Corps, to serve as the service HUMINT program manager.

In 2016, he reported to 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade to serve as the future operations officer and assistant chief of staff, G2. During this tour, he deployed aboard the USS Kearsarge as the plans officer for commander Task Force 189 during the disaster response to Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

From June 2020 to June 2022, he commanded 2nd Intelligence Battalion, leading the organization through operational modernization, force development, and globally integrated intelligence support to Marine Air-Ground Task Force and joint force operations.

In 2023, he reported to U.S. Central Command to serve as the Chief of Intelligence Operations. In this capacity, he oversaw joint targeting, theater collection, electromagnetic spectrum operations, counter-UAS operations, foreign material exploitation, and theater force management, while serving as a principal staff lead for coalition integration and partner-nation engagement across the CENTCOM AOR. He deployed to Israel at the onset of the Israel-Hamas War, integrating U.S. and partner intelligence operations during the initial phases of conflict.

Colonel Starr holds a bachelor of arts in English literature from The Citadel, a master of military science from Marine Corps Command and Staff College (with distinction), a master of science in operations and planning from the School of Advanced Military Studies (with distinction), and a master of science in strategic information and cyberspace, with a concentration in influence warfare, from National Defense University (with distinction).

His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (3rd award), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (5th award), Navy and

Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal (2nd award), the Combat Action Ribbon.