1SG Daila Espeut-Jones, U.S. Army (Retired)

First Sergeant Daila Espeut-Jones was born and raised in Jamaica until age 15. In 1979, she migrated to Boston, Massachusetts, and later joined the Army in 1982, serving on active duty for 22 years. First Sergeant Espeut-Jones retired in 2004.

She was awarded the Bronze Star Medal in 2003 while deployed to Southwest Asia and the Legion of Merit in 2004 upon retirement. Her additional military awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (w/2 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Commendation Medal (w/ 2 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Achievement Medal (w/ 3 Oak Leaf Clusters), Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal (7th Award), National Defense Service Ribbon (2nd Award), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Humanitarian Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (w/Numeral 3), Overseas Service Ribbon (5th Award), Drivers and Mechanic Badge, Expert Weapon Marksmanship Badge, German Silver Marksmanship Badge, and Parachutist Badge.

First Sergeant Espeut-Jones is Secretary of the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame Board of Directors. She is the immediate past Chair of the Orange County Mayor’s Veterans Advisory Council, past President of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Sunshine Chapter in Orlando, past board member of Orange County Disability Advisory Board, Vice President of National Association of Black Military Women (NABMW) Orlando Chapter, an active member of the National Association Of Buffalo Soldiers & Troopers Motorcycle Club (NABSTMC) Orlando Chapter, Vice President National Association of Black Military Women Orlando Chapter, member of the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 4287, Orange County Veterans Treatment Court Mentorship Program, US Military Academy (West Point) mentor, Board of Directors at Samaritan Resources Center in Orlando, and member of the Florida Governor’s Women Veterans Fact Finding Committee. 

In 2015, First Sergeant Espeut-Jones was selected as one of Orlando Business Journal’s Veterans of Influence. In March 2020, she was recognized by Congressman Darren Soto at the US House of Representatives. In September 2020, First Sergeant Espeut-Jones was inducted into the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame. In 2021, she received the first Citizen of the Year award from her employer, ZelTech, LLC. In November 2022, First Sergeant Espeut-Jones received the Caribbean Veterans Trailblazer Award in Miami, Florida. In April 2023, she was presented with a Quilt of Valor. On 9 November 2023, Mayor Jerry Demings presented her with a

Proclamation, making 9 November First Sergeant Daila Espeut-Jones Day in Orange County, Florida. In July 2024, First Sergeant Espeut-Jones was selected for the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award. In June 2025, First Sergeant Espeut-Jones was selected as the National Association of Buffalo Soldiers & Troopers Motorcycle Club Southeast Frontier Associate of the Year and in August 2025, First Sergeant Espeut-Jones received the 2025 Jamaican American Community Service Award in Orlando.

She volunteers for over 20 hours per week, assisting veterans, active-duty service members, and citizens in the community. First Sergeant Espeut-Jones assists people experiencing homelessness at Samaritan Resources Center in Orlando. She frequently participates in local television and radio shows advocating on behalf of active-duty service members, military veterans, and their families.

First Sergeant Espeut-Jones is the Founder of Green 2 Grey, LLC. Green 2 Grey was born from touching and changing veterans’ lives. Her work focuses on helping active-duty service members, veterans, and their families connect with available resources in Central Florida. In December 2024, 1SG Espeut-Jones founded the Caribbean Veterans Association (CVA), a non-profit organization that educates the general public on Caribbean immigrants’ contribution to foreign military services. In 2024, 1SG Espeut-Jones founded Valor Vixens. Valor Vixens’ mission is focused on providing assistance to female veterans and their children who are

homeless and abused. She also plans to establish Jamaican Veterans Association (JAVA) in 2026.

First Sergeant Espeut-Jones holds associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees in human resource management. She is pursuing a PhD in public administration at Liberty University and anticipates completion in Spring 2026.

She is one of the co-authors of Amazon’s best-seller, Girlz Run the World in Pearls.