Command Sgt. Major Rickey G. Jackson assumed responsibility of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command on March 13, 2026. USASMDC develops and provides current and future global space, missile defense, and high-altitude capabilities to the Army, joint force, and its allies and partners, to enable multi-domain combat effects; enhance deterrence, assurance, and detection of strategic attacks; and protect the nation.
Jackson, a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, enlisted in the Army in August 1995. He graduated from Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, as a 13B Field Artillery Cannoneer.
Jackson’s previous assignments include: Section chief and gunner B Battery 4-42 FA, Fort Hood, Texas; section chief, C Battery 1-15 FA, Camp Casey, Korea; gunnery sergeant and section chief, B Battery 3-82 FA, Fort Hood, Texas; drill sergeant D Company 2-60th, Fort Jackson, South, Carolina; platoon sergeant, B Battery 1-77 FA Battalion, Schweinfurt, Germany; first sergeant of Service Battery then B Battery, 1-77 FA Battalion, Schweinfurt, Germany; senior professional development NCO, Fort Knox, Kentucky; and 3ID DIVARTY operations sergeant major, Fort Stewart, Georgia. He served as command sergeant major for 1-41 FA Battalion, Fort Stewart, Georgia; 1ID Forward, Poznan, Poland; and 1ID DIVARTY, Fort Riley Kansas. He was the 32nd commandant of the U.S. Army Drill Sergeant Academy and most recently served as command sergeant major of the 56th Artillery Command, U.S. Army Europe and Africa.
He has deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom VII and Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom I/II and VII.
His military education includes attendance to the Nominative Leader Course 22-03, resident course at the U.S. Army Sergeant’s Major Academy Class 66, the Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Course, Drill Sergeant Course, Senior Leader’s Noncommissioned Officers Course, Advance Noncommissioned Officers Course, the Basic Leader’s Course, Combatives Level I and II, Battle Staff NCO Course, Anti-Terrorism Officer Course, Unit Movement Officer Course, Air Load Planner Course, Master Resiliency Course, and the Combat Life Savers Course. His civilian education includes a bachelor’s degree in psychology from American Military University and a Master of Leadership Studies from the University of Texas at El Paso. He is currently completing his doctoral degree in Behavioral Health Management from Arizona State University.
Jackson’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and NATO Medal. His unit awards include a Meritorious Unit Citation and Superior Unit Award.
He is married and has two children.
March 2026
