The 11th Military Police Brigade “Justice Guardians” at the Joint Forces Training Base welcomed Col. Ed C. Jacobsen, who succeeds Col. Donald C. Houk, at a formal Change of Command Ceremony on Saturday. Created in 1966 at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, the brigade was inactivated in 1972, but was reactivated in 2003, serving at Camp Cooper, Iraq supervising the controlled release of thousands of detainees. The brigade has been at its new home at the JFTB since 2009.
“This is the highlight of my career,” said Col. Jacobsen. “I have big shoes to fill as I assume command of this top brigade. I have to make sure our three units deployed and the several more deployed come home safe, and take care of their families while they are deployed.”
“It is my great honor and privilege to take command of this storied brigade,” said Col. Jacobsen. “Col. Houk is a unique leader, a thorough professional and someone who brings energy and lightheartedness into everything he does. We wish him all the best as he moves to his new position of heavy responsibility into the 200th M.P. Command in Fort Meade, Maryland.”
Col. Jacobsen brings with him nearly 29 years of military experience. Entering the Army in 1984, he received his commission from the Reserve Officer Training Corps (R.O.T.C) at Weber State University in Utah where he graduated with his bachelor’s degree in Corrections and Law Enforcement. He also holds a master’s degree in Business Administration, and operates a natural health and wellness center out of Kanab, Nevada.
Col. Jacobsen most recently served as the Director of Detention and Corrections Advisor in Afghanistan. On active duty the last 5 years, he just returned from 14 months in Afghanistan. He was also assigned as Commander of the Multi-National Division Rear Operation Center and oversaw prison operations as Deputy Commander at Camp Cropper, both in Baghdad, Iraq. As a citizen-soldier, he is retired from the Federal Prison Complex in Victorville where he served as Deputy Warden. He spent 25 years in service to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, with a full career of managing, operating and administration over some of the most difficult prisons in the United States
“I’ve been very fortunate to have had a subordinate command with Col. Houk,” said Col. Jacobsen. “He was continually training in the coming and going of troops, and was a great catalyst for progress, adapting well.” “It was a very humbling experience being commander and I will miss it,” said Col. Houk.
Outgoing Col. Houk entered active duty in 1985 after receiving his commission from the R.O.T.C. at the University of Nevada – Reno, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. He served in many diverse locations such as Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Japan and Korea. He joined the Army Reserves in 1999, being deployed twice to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom. He served as Chief of Staff with the 11th Military Police Brigade in 2010, and later as Deputy Commander, assuming command in 2012. Col. Houk is a Safety & Security Manager supporting a Fortune 500 company in Phoenix, Arizona.
Both Col. Houk and Col. Jacobsen have large families, which they readily credit for helping them have successes in life. Col. Houk is married to the former Bren Nowe, and together has six children; Jason, Dan, Chris, Dustin, Will and Matt. He also has four grandchildren; Alexa Marie, Collin and Sienna. Col. Jacobsen has been married for 30 years to his college sweetheart, Terry, and has seven children; Wade, Amanda, Shawn, Jimmie, Emily, Sara and Zachary. Together they have 3 grandchildren; Savannah, Leah and Luke.