AEDC welcomes new Chief of Staff

  • Published
  • By Janaé Daniels
  • AEDC/PA
Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn. --  Ken Jacobsen is the new Chief of Staff at Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC). 

Jacobsen previously served in the Marine Corps for 26 years in a variety of command and staff assignments before retiring as a colonel in February 2006. 

"Col. [Art] Huber and I have high expectations for Mr. Jacobsen as he fills this key leadership role," AEDC Executive Director M. Britt Covington said. 

His responsibilities will include supervision of the chaplain, history, public affairs, inspector general and safety offices. He will also be responsible for a variety of front office staff functions such as managing the flow of pertinent data and information to and from the commander, optimizing the command section's inner workings and coordinating staff and center activities consistent with the commander's direction. 

Jacobsen said even though he is proud to have served as a Marine, it's not necessarily the color of the uniform that is important to him. 

"What's most important is to understand we are all members of the same team working together side-by-side to perform the same strategic mission," Jacobsen said. "I enjoy life-long friendships with members of all four services and have really learned a lot from them." 

Following retirement, Jacobsen served for two years as Senior Military Instructor for a Marine Corps high school Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program. That position, he said, eased the transition from active duty by permitting him to wear his uniform several times a week and allowing him to serve the Middle Tennessee community he and his wife, Donna, settled in. 

"What I really sought, though, was a position that fully employed the knowledge, skills and abilities I'd gained from the Marine Corps: organizational leadership, strategic planning, directing multi-site operations, team building, etc.," he explained. "I am familiar with Federal Civil Service, particularly within DoD, and I believed that my talents would be best understood and employed in that sector." 

Jacobsen said he learned about AEDC shortly after retiring to the Middle Tennessee area. 

"I was able to gain some information from friends and residents of the area but was also able to learn much more by browsing the Web site," he explained. "I was surprised to learn that there is not an operational airfield on the base and was intrigued by the advanced research, development, test and evaluation facilities here." 

With April 13 as his first official day, Jacobsen plans on learning and observing at first. 

"As my knowledge base develops, I will begin coaching," he said. "In the end, I expect to learn a lot, teach a lot and make a positive difference. My goal is to help foster a command climate where everyone is excited about coming to work, feels respected and appreciated for their contributions and takes pride in striving to do their best." 

With a father who served in the Marine Corps for 25 years and was an A-4 Skyhawk pilot, it was only a matter of time for Jacobsen to following in his footsteps. 

Jacobsen graduated from California State University at Long Beach in 1979 with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1980 as an infantry officer. 

Following his promotion to captain, Jacobsen served as executive officer for Headquarters Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion in San Diego until his transfer to 4th Marines in Okinawa, Japan. 

As a major, Jacobsen served as executive officer, Recruiting Station Chicago and later as the Marine Corps Program Liaison Officer U.S. Atlantic Command in Norfolk, Va. 

He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1994, assigned to the 2nd Marine Division where he served as G-4 operations officer and deputy assistant chief of staff. Upon his selection for battalion level command, he served as commanding officer, 2nd Battalion San Diego from 2000-2002. 

Jacobsen was promoted to colonel in 2002 and selected to attend the College of Naval Warfare in Newport, R.I. Following completion of school in June 2003, he reported to the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Okinawa, Japan, as the assistant chief of staff for Logistics. 

During this tour, Jacobsen deployed to Kuwait to serve as officer-in-charge of the Marine Coordination Element-Kuwait. This organization coordinates theater level logistics support for Marine forces conducting contingency operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa. 

He was then transferred to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, where he served as the command inspector general until his retirement. 

His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (third award), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (second award) and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.