Jacob Beard, of Eureka, Illinois, was promoted to lieutenant colonel in a ceremony March 15 at Heartland Community College in Normal, Illinois.
Beard, the officer-in-charge of the 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB), headquartered in Normal, grew up in Alexander, Illinois, and enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves in 2005. After graduating basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, he contracted as a cadet with the Western Illinois University Reserve Officer Training Corps program. In 2006, he transferred to the Illinois Army National Guard’s 233rd Military Police Company where he became a platoon leader after commissioning from the WIU ROTC program in 2007.
Beard thanked his family for supporting his 20 years of military service.
“I’m very fortunate to have all my family present. After 20 years in the military, you understand that opportunities to have everyone together aren’t as frequent as we would like sometimes,” he said. “I would like to recognize my wife, Tiffany, for holding down the fort during all the late nights, drill weekends and my many days and months away from home. You are the true hero who puts up with the military and holds our family together when I wasn’t there.”
“To my children thank you for understanding it doesn’t matter when or where we celebrate birthdays, holidays, or special occasions, it just matters that we celebrate them together when we could,” he told his daughters, Mali’a, Kaiona and Lena, and son, Max. “I couldn’t be prouder of each of you and the great people you have become.”
Beard also had a special message for his parents.
“Looking back on it, giving you about 24 hours-notice I was going to MEPS and joining the military may not have been one of my most tactful moves, but looking back, it may not have been such a bad decision,” he said. “Thank you for being so supportive throughout my life, even when I took the paths you didn’t necessarily agree with.”
Beard has held a variety of staff and leadership assignments throughout the Illinois Army National Guard, including platoon leader and executive officer in the 233rd Military Police Company, Assistant Operations Officer for 2nd Battalion, 123rd Field Artillery Regiment, during a 2010 deployment to Sanai, Egypt. After returning from the deployment, Beard briefly served as a staff officer in the 33rd Military Police Battalion before being selected as Commander of the 333rd Military Police Company.
Beard served as the Illinois National Guard Provost Marshal until he was selected as the officer-in-charge of the 33rd MP Battalion in 2016. Beard served in a variety of staff roles within the battalion before being selected as the brigade training officer for the 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade.
While serving as the brigade training officer, Beard coordinated the brigade’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and simultaneous instances of civil unrest. In 2022, Beard deployed with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 404th MEB to Djibouti, Africa where he served as the Deputy Director of Crisis and Future Operations for Combined Joint Task Force- Horn of Africa. Upon his return from his second deployment to Africa, Beard was assigned as Chief of the Assistance and Investigations Branch within the Illinois National Guard’s Office of the Inspector General where he served until 2024, when he was selected as the officer-in-charge of the 404th MEB.
Beard said he didn’t get to where he is by himself.
“During this adventure, I’ve had the absolute pleasure of serving alongside some of the most amazing men and women our country has produced, sometimes in some of the worst environments the world has to offer,” he said. “I am here today because of subordinates, peers and leaders who have influenced my actions and decisions.”
He said one of his squad leaders early in his career put it all in perspective.
“As a very green platoon leader, one of my ‘well-seasoned’ squad leaders reassured me one day by telling me ‘sir, when the bullets start flying, don’t you worry. It’s my job to keep you alive so that you can keep the rest of us alive’,” Beard said. “What a powerful statement. No pressure at all there.”
Beard shared some lessons he’s learned throughout his military service.
“My first deployment was where I learned that rank doesn’t always reflect capability. Although we were deployed as a somewhat organic battalion with two Majors, I worked for the S3 actual, an AGR Captain nicknamed “Captain America” who pretty much ran the battalion,” he said. “After deployment, I was hired on as a technician and learned from a warrant officer that just because you can do something, doesn’t mean that you should do it. That one has really stuck with me and can apply to so many different situations. Be it decisions associated with risk, or quality control, or simply managing turbulence within the organization, such few words can have quite a profound impact.”
Beard said the top three things he learned as a company commander was clarity of communication, building a team with your noncommissioned officer, and learning not to take things seriously all the time.
“When clarifying the need to use ‘military tactics’ during training, be sure to specify what century you are expecting, otherwise during a capture the flag scenario, you very well may witness a civil war reenactment where the troops march out to a drum beat, the first rank (armed with SAWs) takes a knee and chaos ensues,” he said. “Never underestimate the power of your senior NCO as a teammate and a sounding board. Also, it helps to deconflict who will be the “good cop vs bad cop” before you go into a counseling session. If you both go in as the bad cop, it can get really awkward and escalate quickly. And finally, I learned you must learn to laugh and have fun. You have never truly had an honest assessment of you, or your staff’s personality quirks until you show up to a company meeting where a bunch of privates have dressed up as their section and platoon leaders."
Beard said he’s also learned time is one of the most precious things leaders have.
“It is limited in quantity, so use it wisely,” he said. “Ensure you have a plan to accomplish your goals before your time is up, both in your position, career, and in life.”
Beard offered some advice to his fellow Soldiers, which he said, could also apply in all parts of life.
“Be aware of how your actions, and even presence, can impact others,” he said. “In the absence of guidance, don’t be afraid to make up your own. For the junior officers and NCOs present, never let your rank mentally hold you back from getting the job done.”
“Always have someone on your staff who will tell you the truth, not just what you want to hear,” he said. “Don’t be afraid to tactfully share thoughts contrary to that of your boss. Treat your team like family and protect them like your children. Nothing is more powerful than a team based upon trust and shared understanding. Finally, if you do what is right and take care of your people, they will take care of you.”