# Charles H. Jacoby Jr.

Charles Hemming Jacoby Jr. (born 19 June 1954) is a top military leader, author, and strategist who served as the fifth Commander of United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and the 22nd Commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). General Jacoby currently serves as Vice Chairman and Board Member of Agilion Systems, an advanced technology and strategic advisory firm. He was previously Vice Chairman and Board Member at Tilman & Company, a predecessor to Agilion
General Jacoby is a leading expert on modern warfare, strategic planning, and international security, as well as an accomplished writer and historian. He is a co-author of Agility: How to Navigate the Unknown and Seize Opportunity in a World of Disruption (Missionday, 2019), having also published studies on air campaigns, brigade combat teams, ballistic missile defense, and strategic deterrence. He is past Distinguished Chair of the Modern War Institute at the United States Military Academy at West Point and member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He has served on the boards of the El Pomar Foundation, the Institute for Defense Analysis, Cornerstone Defense, and the US Army Infantry Museum.
Jacoby’s 37 years of service include commanding at every level in Joint and Army assignments, from Company to Geographic Combatant Command. He has led in combat operations in Grenada with the 82nd Airborne Division, Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, and Multinational CORP Iraq during the Operation Iraqi Freedom (2009-2011). Previously, he served as Director of Strategy, Plans, and Policy for the Joint Staff, contributed to the Middle East peace process, and represented the U.S. military at the United Nations. As a U.S. Northern Command Commander, he led the military response to Hurricane Sandy. As the first Army officer to lead NORAD, he reorganized its 1,800-person bi-national and joint headquarters and integrated 35 federal, state, and non-governmental organizations for the defense and security of North America. He assumed command of USNORTHCOM and NORAD on 3 August 2011. Jacoby is notable as the first non-command pilot to serve as commander of either NORAD/USNORTHCOM, as both commands have traditionally been dominated by Air Force officers and NORAD carries a heavy air interdiction mission.

## Education

A 1978 graduate of the United States Military Academy, Jacoby attended the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced courses, the Army Command and General Staff College, the School of Advanced Military Studies, and the National War College.
Jacoby has a master's degree in history from the University of Michigan.

## Awards and decorations

General Jacoby’s contributions have been recognized with military decorations from the governments of Canada, Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, and Colombia.

### Individual awards

* Defense Distinguished Service Medal (with two bronze oak leaf clusters)
* Distinguished Service Medal (with one bronze oak leaf cluster)
* Defense Superior Service Medal (with two bronze oak leaf clusters)
* Legion of Merit
* Bronze Star Medal (with one bronze oak leaf cluster)
* Defense Meritorious Service Medal
* Meritorious Service Medal (with one silver oak leaf cluster)
* Joint Service Commendation Medal
* Army Commendation Medal (with four bronze oak leaf clusters)
* Army Achievement Medal (with one bronze oak leaf cluster)
* National Defense Service Medal (with one bronze service star)
* Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
* Afghanistan Campaign Medal (with one bronze service star)
* Iraq Campaign Medal (with one bronze service star)
* Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
* Humanitarian Service Medal (with one bronze service star)
* Army Service Ribbon
* Overseas Service Ribbon (with award numeral 6)

### Unit awards

* Joint Meritorious Unit Award (with two bronze oak leaf clusters)
* Meritorious Unit Commendation
* Superior Unit Award

### International military award

* Inter-American Defense Board Medal

### Foreign awards

* Unidentified Medal
* Medal "Monja Blanca", 2nd class (Guatemala)
* Commander of The Order of Military Merit José María Córdova (Colombia)
* Condecoración al Mérito Militar, Primera Clase (Mexico)
* Condecoración al Mérito Naval, Segunda Clase (Mexico)
* Canada Meritorious Service Cross (Military Division)

### Badges

* Combat Infantryman Badge
* Expert Infantryman Badge
* Master Parachutist Badge
* Air Assault Badge
* Honduran Parachutist Badge
* RTA Basic Parachutist Badge
* Ranger Tab
* United States Northern Command Badge
* North American Aerospace Defense Command Badge

### Other accoutrements

* 82nd Airborne Division Combat Service Identification Badge
* 504th Infantry Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia
* 5 Overseas Service Bars

## Personal

General Jacoby is married to Grace A. Dorta, retired Army Lt Col, and has three sons who all serve in the realm of U.S. national security.