James H. Dickinson

James H. Dickinson (born 1962) is a retired United States Army general who served as the commander of the United States Space Command from 2020 to 2025. He previously served as deputy commander of the United States Space Command from 2019 to 2020.

Early life and education Dickinson was born in Estes Park, Colorado. In 1985, he graduated from Colorado State University with a B.S. degree in mechanical 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 the Colorado School of Mines. Additionally, he earned a master's degree in strategic studies from the United States Army War College.

Military career In 1985, Dickinson was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army's Air Defense Artillery Branch after completing Colorado State University's Reserve Officers' Training Corps program.

In 2016, Dickinson was assigned as chief of staff of the United States Strategic Command. Following the suicide of Lieutenant General John G. Rossi, who was then confirmed to take command of the United 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 the Joint Functional Component Command for Integrated Missile Defense. On January 10, 2024, Dickinson relinquished command to General Stephen Whiting. After this command tour, he retired from the U.S. Army.

Awards and decorations Dickinson is the recipient of the following awards:

Dates of promotion + Rank Date Brigadier generalNovember 2, 2011 Major generalJuly 2, 2014 Lieutenant generalJanuary 5, 2017 GeneralAugust 20, 2020