Jack Hammond

Jack Hammond is a retired U.S. Army Brigadier General who has commanded multiple combat operations. Currently, he is the Chief Executive Officer at the Home Base National Center of Excellence for Mental Health and Brain Injuries. Hammond has a solid background as a combat leader and in the private sector, providing innovative solutions in mental health and brain injuries, and has advised presidents, governors, and various industries on security and healthcare matters.

During his military tenure, Hammond not only led U.S. and NATO forces in Iraq and Afghanistan but also managed crises, such as the revolt in Balad, Iraq which involved securing the release of hostages including the Governor of Tikrit and four American soldiers. He coordinated security responses during an 18-hour attack on multiple sites in Kabul, Afghanistan in 2011, and contributed to relief efforts in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. His leadership extended to constructing and operating a 1,000-bed COVID-19 field hospital in Massachusetts, which managed to treat over 700 patients without any fatalities.

In 2012, Hammond was appointed to lead the Home Base program, a partnership between the Boston Red Sox and Massachusetts General Hospital, which has since become a pioneering Center of Excellence. Under his leadership, the center has developed groundbreaking treatments for mental health and brain injuries, serving over 30,000 veterans from all 50 states and eight countries. Home Base leverages the expertise of faculty and clinical resources from Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. These services are provided free of charge to veterans, military service members, and their families.

Hammond has participated in various high-profile advisory roles, including President Obama’s Commission on Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization and the White House Veterans and Military Family Mental Health Conference. He has also served on advisory councils for governors and contributed to veteran and security advisory groups. His military and civilian honors include the Distinguished Service Medal, two Legion of Merit Medals, the Bronze Star Medal, and the 2020 American Red Cross Heroes Award for his efforts at Boston Hope.

Further enhancing his credentials, Hammond holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Massachusetts and a Master's Degree in Healthcare Marketing and Communications from Boston University. He also completed a National Security Fellowship at Harvard University, the Israeli Defense Force’s International Crisis Management Program, and the NATO Counter Insurgent Leader Course in Kabul, Afghanistan. His extensive leadership experience in both military and healthcare sectors positions him as a knowledgeable speaker on issues ranging from crisis management to innovative healthcare solutions.