Originally Posted by BIO

COLONEL
JOHN N. “JACK” TOBIN
Inducted 5 April 2012
Born 29 December 1945 in Norristown, Pa, COL Tobin joined the military in 1967
after graduation from Atlantic Christian College, Wilson, NC. Volunteering for Special
Forces, he was first assigned to B/7th Special Forces Group (ABN) (SFG(A)), assigned to
A-222 as Communications Supervisor. Volunteering for duty in the Republic of Vietnam
with 5th SFG(A), he was assigned to A503 and A-504, B-55, 5th Mobile Strike Force.
Tobin reentered military service in August 1975, after a break in service of five years,
assigned to C/3/11th SFG(A), (US Army Reserves) as Communications Supervisor
on A-332. He would subsequently serve as XO, A-333 and Detachment Commander
for A-335, and A-331. During his last assignment as the Company Operations and
Training Officer, he participated in foreign exchange programs. He also developed and
implemented a AIRCREW Survival, Escape and Evasion training program for the U.S.
21st Air Force which resulted in the USAF Commendation Medal. Moving to North
Carolina, he transferred to the 35th Engr Bde (NG) where he had the responsibility of
assisting in operations and training preparation for National Training Center rotations.
Recalled to active duty during OPERATION DESERT STORM/DESERT SHIELD, he
was assigned to the FORSCOM Intelligence Center. He would later serve as the J2, J5
and Force Protection Officer for JTF-105 OPERATION FUERTES CAMlNOS, in Las
Delicias and Macora, Honduras. Remaining on active duty, in 1996, Tobin returned
to a Special Forces billet with US Atlantic Command (USACOM) as Project Officer
for their newly instituted anti-terrorism/force protection section.. His overall concept,
submitted to the Joint Chiefs of Staff as the USACOM submittal for the revision of the
DoD 2000.12 Antiterrorism/Force Protection Handbook, was complete enough to be
fully integrated into the final documents as well as the JP 3-07 series of publications.
Responsible for developing the follow on methodology that would become DOD’s
Antiterrorist Vulnerability Assessment Handbook, he then was detailed to teach
and execute assessments, traveling throughout the U.S. and OCONUS. In his next
assignment as Director of Instruction - Joint Program for Onward Movement, Ft Benning,
Georgia, he instructed all military and civilian personnel on deployment orders for
OPERATION JOINT GUARD/ENDEAVOR, Bosnia in AT/FP. Released from Active
duty, but continuing to work with the military, using his skills in program and doctrine
development, he worked in various training, SOF and AT/FP assignments.
COL Tobin returned to active duty as Chief of Plans, Directorate of Strategic Plans
and Policy (CJ5) in June 2004, assigned to Combined Forces Command-Afghanistan.
In March of 2005, he assumed the position as Chief of the National Military Liaison
Team - CFC- A. This position was held concurrently with his CJ5 position held since
2004. Attached to US Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, his team assisted the Afghan
Reconstruction Group advising the various ministries of the Afghanistan Government on
internal defense and development strategies.
After retirement in January 2006, he was selected by Benchmark International as
their Senior Military Analyst - Special Forces. Providing the SF expertise required in
the nuclear powered, ballistic missile submarine project, he also wrote the Handbook
which, as was the case before with USACOM AT/FP Handbook, became the published
Operational Manual with its guidance incorporated in all appropriate Joint Pubs
supportive of the program. Upon completion of the contract, he accepted position first
with Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) and later the Army Special Operations
Concept Integration Center (ARSOIC).
Retiring in 2011 to Mint Hill, North Carolina, he is also active in the Special
Forces Association, serving as the president Chapter VI 1996-1997, Special Operations
Association, and the Association of Former Intelligence Officers
Military Awards include: Legion of Merit Bronze Star w/OLC; Defense Meritorious
Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal w/OLC Joint Service Commendation Medal;
Army Commendation Medal w/device & OLC; Air Force Commendation Medal; Combat
Infantry Badge w/Star; Special Forces Tab; Master Parachutist Badge and Vietnamese
Parachutist Badge.DISTIN