Vietnam Hero and NBC Analyst Colonel Jack Jacobs to Discuss Military Media Coverage

Decorated Veteran and renowned television personality will provide perceptions from the front lines as part of School of Communication and Media’s Communication Industry Speaker Series

Medal of Honor recipient, Vietnam War hero and NBC Military Analyst Colonel Jack H. Jacobs will provide expert insight into the media’s coverage of the military at Montclair State University’s School of Communication and Media on November 15 as part of the school’s Communication Industry Speaker Series.  

The longtime commentator and decorated officer will headline a discussion titled, “Covering the Military in the Age of Political Divide,” which will dissect the challenges facing media covering the United States military in today’s political climate.

“Colonel Jack Jacobs is an American hero and a thoughtful, important and impartial voice amidst the escalating rancor of American news media,” says Keith Strudler, director of Montclair State’s School of Communication and Media. “He gives the American public critical insight into the increasingly unknown military complex, serving the viewing public and, through his reasoned analysis, helping to preserve democracy. We are honored to have him speak with our campus and our community.”

Entering military service through Rutgers ROTC, Jacobs earned the Medal of Honor for his heroic service in Vietnam. During his military career, he also received three Bronze and two Silver Stars.

Jacobs served on the faculty of the United States Military Academy at West Point and the National War College before pursuing a career in investment banking. In addition to his current role as a military analyst for NBC, he is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and is a director of the Medal of Honor Foundation.

“I’m excited to visit Montclair State to speak about such an important issue at an important time in our history,” noted Jacobs.

The Communication Industry Speaker Series brings media leaders and visionaries to Montclair State’s School of Communication and Media for thoughtful conversation and discourse, addressing the most interesting and pressing issues transcending media, communication and society at large.

“With this speaker series, we will bring our various publics together – students, faculty, staff, our community and industry leaders – to discuss big-picture communications issues and how they shape our society,” says Strudler. “We will serves as our community’s hub of intellectual conversation on these pressing topics.”

The event will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the School of Communication and Media building’s Presentation Hall, and is free and open to the public. For more information or to register to attend, visit https://msusurveys.montclair.edu/index.php/717926/lang-en.