Jack Jacobs

Colonel Jack Jacobs is a retired U.S. Army officer and a recipient of the Medal of Honor for heroism during combat in Vietnam. Jacobs built a second career as a strategist, educator, and broadcaster, translating battlefield experience into analysis for the public. His military record and subsequent work in finance, academia, and television have established him as a voice on leadership, decision-making under pressure, and national security.

After an Army career that included multiple combat deployments and senior leadership roles, Jacobs transitioned into the private sector, working in investment banking and institutional asset management. He has taught at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, sharing lessons on leadership, ethics, and strategy with future officers. Jacobs connects real-world combat experience with broader questions of risk, responsibility, and organizational performance, contributing to his reputation as both a practitioner and a teacher.

Jacobs is known to television audiences through his role as a military analyst on major news networks, where he provides commentary on conflicts, foreign policy crises, and defense issues. He has appeared on national news programs and public affairs shows, offering context and explanation during global events. His commentary is recognized for its clarity, candor, and emphasis on the human dimension of war, reinforcing his credibility as a communicator in military analysis and national security.

As an author, Jacobs has demonstrated skill as a storyteller and interpreter of military life. His memoir, "If Not Now, When?" explores the combat actions that led to his Medal of Honor as well as the moral and psychological realities of war, while "Basic: Surviving Boot Camp and Basic Training" examines the transformative experience that shapes American service members. Through these works and keynote addresses, Jacobs has spoken about fear, responsibility, and resilience under fire, framing his challenges as lessons in character and leadership. His combination of battlefield experience, analytical rigor, and media presence provides insight into war, leadership, and military strategy.