Lieutenant General Joseph Jarrard is the Deputy Commander, United States Northern Command, and Vice Commander, United States Element, North American Aerospace Defense Command at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado. As Deputy Commander, Lieutenant General Jarrard assists the Combatant Commander in anticipating, preparing for and responding to threats against North America and within Northern Command’s assigned area of responsibility. Additionally, he provides oversight of United States Northern Command’s mission to provide Defense Support of Civil Authorities.
Lieutenant General Jarrard’s other general officer level assignments include duties as the National Guard Director of Domestic Operations and Force Development, Deputy Commanding General, ARNG, United States Army Europe and Africa, and The Adjutant General Georgia National Guard.
Lieutenant General Jarrard’s previous assignments include Assistant Professor of Military Science at North Georgia College. He also served as the Deputy Commander, Brigade Executive Officer, and Battalion Executive Officer with 18th Field Artillery Brigade at Fort Bragg, North Carolina and while deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom. Lieutenant General Jarrard served as the battery commander of the Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery Battalion at Fort Stewart, Georgia. He has been part of numerous domestic response operations during his service in the Georgia National Guard.
Lieutenant General Jarrard was commissioned in 1988 from University of North Georgia ROTC program. His military education includes the Field Artillery Officer Basic and Artillery and Infantry Advance Courses, the Command and General Staff College, the United States Army War College, General Officer Homeland Security Executive Seminar, Army Strategic Education Program – Advanced (ASEP-A) CAPSTONE, and George C. Marshall Center-Senior Executive Seminar. He earned a Master of Education from the University of North Georgia and Master of Strategic Studies from United States Army War College.
Lieutenant General Jarrard’s military awards and decorations include the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation Navy, the Army Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Army Superior Unit Award, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, the Ranger Tab, the Senior Parachutist Badge, and the German Parachutist Badge.
He and Susan, his wife of 37 years, reside on Peterson Space Force Base.
Last Updated: 29 April 2026
