SFC Jesse Peterson began his Army career in 2008 with his first assignment at Fort Drum, New York, where he served for six years. In 2009, he deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, gaining valuable combat experience early in his career.

Following Fort Drum, he completed a one-year tour in South Korea, broadening his perspective by working alongside U.S. and allied forces in a unique operational environment. He was then assigned to Fort Carson, Colorado, where he served until 2021, taking on increasing responsibilities in both leadership and training roles.

From there, he moved to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, spending three years further developing his expertise and mentoring junior Soldiers. In April 2024, SFC Peterson transitioned to UC Davis ROTC, where he continues to serve by training and developing the next generation of Army officers, drawing on the knowledge and experience gained from more than 16 years of active-duty service.