James H. Dickinson(born 1962) is an activeUnited States Armygeneral who served as thecommander of the United States Space Commandfrom 2020 to 2025. He previously served asdeputy commander of the United States Space Commandfrom 2019 to 2020.
James H. Dickinson | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2024 | |
| Born | 1962 or 1963 (age 61–62) Estes Park, Colorado,U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1985–2025 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands | |
| Battles / wars | Gulf War Operation Enduring Freedom Iraqi Freedom |
| Awards | |
| Alma mater | Colorado State University(BS) Colorado School of Mines(MS) United States Army War College(MS) |
| Signature |  |
Early life and education
editDickinson was born inEstes Park, Colorado.[1]In 1985, he graduated fromColorado State Universitywith a B.S. degree inmechanical engineering.According to him, his engineering degree helped shape his life and career by teaching him discipline and follow-through, team building, solving complex problems, and lifelong learning. He also received an M.S. in operations research and systems analysis from theColorado School of Mines.[2]Additionally, he earned a master's degree in strategic studies from theUnited States Army War College.[3][4]
Military career
editIn 1985, Dickinson was commissioned as a second lieutenant in theUnited States Army'sAir Defense Artillery Branchafter completing Colorado State University'sReserve Officers' Training Corpsprogram.[2]
Previous command assignments he held were the Brigade Commander of the 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, Commander of the Eighth U.S. Army, Republic of Korea, and Battalion Commander of 1st Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery, which deployed to support Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom in the mid-2000s.[4]
From 2010 to 2011, Dickinson served as deputy director for operations at theNational Military Command Center.In 2011, he took command of the94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command(94th AAMDC). At this time, he was promoted to brigadier general. He served as commander of the 94th AAMDC for a year, after which he served as commander of the32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Commandfrom 2012 to 2014. After that, he served asdeputy inspector general of the United States Armyfor a year. From 2015 to 2016, he was assigned at theMissile Defense Agency,serving as the director of test.[5]
In 2016, Dickinson was assigned aschief of staff of the United States Strategic Command.Following the suicide of Lieutenant GeneralJohn G. Rossi,who was then confirmed to take command of theUnited States Army Space and Missile Defense Command(SMDC), Dickinson was selected to take command instead. On January 5, 2017, he took command of the SMDC. In this role, he also served as the commander of theJoint Functional Component Command for Integrated Missile Defense.[5]
U.S. Space Command
editIn August 2019, theUnited States Space Commandwas reestablished and Dickinson was selected to serve as its firstdeputy commander.In December 2019, theUnited States Space Forcewas established and GeneralJohn W. Raymond,U.S. Space Command's commander, became its firstchief of space operationswhile retaining command of the combatant command. Dickinson was then nominated and confirmed to replace Raymond ascommander of the United States Space Command.On August 20, 2020, he was promoted to general and took command of the U.S. Space Command.[6]On January 10, 2024, Dickinson relinquished command to GeneralStephen Whiting.After this command tour, he retired from the U.S. Army.[7]
Awards and decorations
editDickinson is the recipient of the following awards:
Dates of promotion
edit| Rank | Date[5] |
|---|---|
 Brigadier general |
November 2, 2011 |
 Major general |
July 2, 2014 |
 Lieutenant general |
January 5, 2017 |
 General |
August 20, 2020 |
References
edit
- ^"Estes Park native Brig. Gen. James H. Dickinson moving on from Ft. Bliss".17 March 2014.Archivedfrom the original on 28 June 2020.Retrieved26 June2020.
- ^abManning, Anne (5 May 2022)."Gen. James Dickinson, head of U.S. Space Command, to speak at three commencement ceremonies".Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering.Archivedfrom the original on 6 June 2023.Retrieved4 June2023.
- ^"GEN James H. Dickinson, USA".Archivedfrom the original on 4 June 2023.Retrieved28 June2023.
- ^ab"GEN JAMES H. DICKINSON".United States Space Command.
- ^abc"General James H. Dickinson - General Officer Management Office".gomo.army.mil.Archivedfrom the original on 12 May 2022.Retrieved28 June2023.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.
- ^"New Bosses at SPACECOM, NORTHCOM".20 August 2020.Archivedfrom the original on 8 October 2021.Retrieved28 June2023.
- ^"Whiting takes helm of U.S. Space Command".10 January 2024.