The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Texas Lottery Veteran Recognition: Christopher Hossfeld
09.27.2024 | Longhorn Sports Properties / Learfield
The retired US Army Colonel will be honored when Texas Football hosts Mississippi State on Sept. 28.
With selfless commitment to the ethos of service and the military's camaraderie of spirit, Christopher Hossfeld served in the United States Army for nearly 30 years as an infantry officer, including as a battalion commander with four tours of combat totaling three years and nine months. His military career culminated with a professorship at the Army War College.
From a family of public servants of police officers, as well as Navy and Army Air Corps, Hossfeld followed in those footsteps, thinking it was a way to pay for college. He began at West Point, returned to Washington, enlisted in the National Guard and eventually earned an ROTC scholarship at Washington State.
"Once I got started, I loved it. The military drove home all the key points for me, the sense of service and serving something bigger than yourself," said Hossfeld, who went into active duty in May 1996 and retired as a colonel.
He was taking a quiz in a captain's career course on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, and Hossfeld said he and his fellow soldiers watched the events as they happened on TV with a determined awareness that everything had changed.
"We recognized it was our Pearl Harbor moment," Hossfeld said. "We felt great care in that moment, knowing that we had to be masters of our craft."
As a captain and Army infantry officer, Hossfeld needed to figure out how to focus on his soldiers. He understood that his techniques, tactics and expertise had serious implications in combat.
"It was true commitment to the soldiers. I had to know what was going on and how to make decisions that can determine life and death on the battlefield," Hossfeld said.
During his first deployment in 2003, Hossfeld served as company commander, accountable for much of western Mosul, Iraq. His troops were constantly under fire as they worked to secure their territory through combat patrols. Hossfeld survived a vehicle bombing on Dec. 24, 2003, and later received a Purple Heart.
Five days after his vehicle was hit, Hossfeld lost his first soldier, a tragedy of war that further clarified and intensified his selfless dedication and responsibility to those under his charge. During his second and third deployments, Hossfeld served in the 82nd Airborne as the Division Chief of Current Operations, which oversaw air and medical support and synchronized resources to meet strategic objectives.
He oversaw air assaults, ordered airstrikes when troops on the ground needed support and deployed emergency units for wounded soldiers and evacuations. Internalizing the well-being of more than 15,000 soldiers, Hossfeld relied on his team and trusted their communication, as well as their understanding of the purpose behind every task or order.
From combat to the classroom, where he served on the faculty of the Army War College, teaching strategy and leadership, Hossfeld looks at situations from multiple perspectives. He works to provide common frameworks so everyone – whether an enlisted soldier, decorated officer or senior civilian decision-maker can grasp the purpose of the mission.
"In complex, ambiguous situations, there is no easy answer. We must find a way to do it," said Hossfeld, who was awarded with two Legions of Merit, four Bronze Stars and five Meritorious Service Awards, among many others.
Following Army retirement, Hossfeld joined The University of Texas at Austin as a research development officer. He assists UT faculty researchers in understanding Department of Defense concepts and requirements and facilitates proposal planning. Additionally, Hossfeld dedicates time to regularly mentoring UT ROTC cadets. Hossfeld's UT colleagues commend his example of leadership and how he upholds the values of honor, courage and integrity.
He is married to Tina Hossfeld, and they have two daughters, Salem and Savannah.
Thanks to the Texas Lottery, great things are happening all across Texas. The Texas Lottery now consistently contributes more than $2 billion of lottery revenue each year to good causes like public education and veterans' assistance programs. Beginning with the first veterans' dedicated scratch ticket game in 2009, the Texas Lottery has now contributed over $248 million to the Fund for Veterans' Assistance.
Since 1992, the Texas Lottery has generated more than $39 billion in revenue for the state of Texas. Through strict adherence to their vision, mission and core values, the Texas Lottery is dedicated to ensuring that this support continues.