Dennis E. Jacobson, a North Dakota National Guardsman and NDSU alumnus, was recently promoted to major general and will begin a two-year assignment as the U.S. Forces Korea deputy chief of staff for Restationing and Tour Normalization Facilities. Maj. Gen. Jacobson is one of two active major generals in the North Dakota National Guard.
With the promotion and assignment, Jacobson assumes responsibility for overseeing the policy development, master planning, execution, coordination and status reporting of several areas in Korea. “This is one of the biggest projects the Corps of Engineers has undertaken since the Panama Canal,” Jacobson said.
It also is the largest base relocation in the U.S. and Korean history. Its completion will be home to 44,000 military members, families and civilian employees.
“I believe my military and civilian experience in North Dakota has prepared me well for this assignment,” Jacobson said. “It is a very complex project development mission, which is heavily influenced by engineer considerations.”
Jacobson earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from NDSU. He also holds a master’s degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College.
In his civilian career, Jacobson worked as a transportation engineer with the North Dakota Department of Transportation and as a research engineer at NDSU for four years. He is a registered professional engineer.