Charles Hemming Jacoby Jr. (born June 19, 1954) is a retired United States Army general who served as the fifth Commander of United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and the 22nd Commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). Jacoby was the first army officer to assume command of Northern Command. He previously served as the Director for Strategic Plans and Policy, The Joint Staff. He assumed command of USNORTHCOM and NORAD on August 3, 2011, and was succeeded by Admiral William E. Gortney on December 5, 2014. 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 Individual awards Unit awards International military award Foreign awards Badges Other accoutrements Gallery References External links Defense News Interview with General Charles Jacoby Deep State Radio Network, 2/2019, ARE WE READY FOR THE FUTURE OF WAR?: A CONVERSATION WITH GENERAL (RET.) CHARLES JACOBY 1954 births Living people Military personnel from Detroit United States Military Academy alumni University of Michigan alumni United States Army generals Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (US Army) Recipients of the Legion of Merit Recipients of the Defense Superior Service Medal Recipients of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal