Retired National Guard Brigadier General Calls it The Villa, A Cottage of Collections

For Mississippi National Guard Brigadier General Gary E. Huffman, every object tells a story

by Brandon Neilan

At age 63, Gary E. Huffman lives in Chickasaw County, Mississippi — a lifelong resident, he lives on a farm.

Huffman retired on August 15, 2012 as a Brigadier General for the Mississippi National Guard. In that year, he left the military, but having served in various countries, in different regimental capacities — he built a cottage housing a collection of military memorabilia.

My wife, Deb, talked me into building a little cottage behind our house, where I could display my military memorabilia. I call it the villa, after the place I lived in Bosnia and Herze-govina as the commander of NATO forces there. Once a week, one of my old military friends will come by. We’ll sit with cups of coffee and swap war stories. There are photographs of soldiers I served with, and a replica of the battalion colors of the unit I commanded in Iraq. They remind me that it’s a big world, and no one is a solitary ship; with every assignment, there were others who made me successful. We all have a net-work of people who help us accomplish what we accomplish. Except for my Purple Heart. That one is personal.

From a U.S. Army Officer’s saber, to military challenge coins, his military memorabilia collection is as diversified as his roles in serving in the U.S. Army.

With over 30 years of military service, his last assignment was a 13-month active duty tour. He served as Commander and Senior Military Representative for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Headquarters in Sarajevo Bosnia and Herzegovina. His main responsibility included the leadership for a joint international military and civilian staff conducted strategic level defense and security sector reform.

He enlisted in the Army in 1982.

General Huffman received his commission for Officer Candidate School (OCS) in May of 1984. He served in diverse and varied roles throughout his career in the Army. With leadership positions in the 2–114th Field Artillery Battalion that included Fire Support Team Chief, Fire Direction Officer, Battery Commander, Battalion Intelligence Officer, and Battalion Logistics Officer.

Huffman also served in the 1st Cavalry Division Rear Tactical Operations Center where he was promoted to Major. Moving up through additional promotions, in March of 2002, he was stationed as the 155th Separate Armored Brigade Operations Officer, and promoted to Lieutenant Colonel where he served until January of 2003.

Seems like that’s who your casualties always are…is your best people. My internal hope is that if I had been a better leader, I would have fewer casualties in Iraq. That is a personal burden to bear, particularly when you have to come back and explain to a mom and dad why there son isn’t coming home…that’s the hard part.

In November of 2005, General Huffman — now a Battalion Commander — was wounded in combat while his unit, the 2–114th Field Artillery was acting as a Provisional Infantry Battalion in the dangerous area of Al Anbar Province, Iraq.

General Huffman graduated in 1973 from Mississippi State University with a Bachelor of Science degree, specializing in Agricultural Economics. In 2003 he received a Masters of Business Administration Degree from Touro University International. General Huffman is a 2008 graduate of the United States Army War College and received a Master’s of Science Degree in Strategic Studies.

You can read more on his various accolades and assignments here.

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