BG Adam Cobb '96 returns to Norwich, engages with cadets and leadership

Norwich University welcomed back BG Adam M. Cobb, Norwich University Class of 1996 and deputy commanding general for operations of the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) at Fort Drum, New York, for a day of engagement with cadets and campus leaders. His visit underscored the enduring bond between Norwich’s mission to develop citizen-soldiers and the remarkable careers of its graduates.

BG Cobb, who earned his Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Norwich University, returned to The Hill as part of his official duties. The visit allowed him to reconnect with the institution that launched his military career while also offering cadets a chance to interact with a senior leader whose trajectory exemplifies the values of perseverance, service, and leadership

A Distinguished Career of Service

Born in New Hampshire and raised in Orlando, Florida, BG Cobb commissioned as a field artillery officer through Norwich’s Army ROTC program. Over the course of his career, he has served in a wide range of operational and command assignments across the globe. These include command of the 5th Battlefield Coordination Detachment at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii; chief of fires for USARPAC; deputy fire support coordinator, 101st Airborne Division (AASLT); and battalion commander, 2-2 Field Artillery at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. 

His service also includes key assignments with elite units such as the 82nd Airborne Division and the 75th Ranger Regiment, as well as multiple combat and operational deployments including Operation Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn, Enduring Freedom, Inherent Resolve, and Stabilization Force Bosnia and Herzegovina. Most recently, he served as chief of staff for both the XVIII Airborne Corps and the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and as director of operations for Combined Joint Task Force–Operation Inherent Resolve under U.S. Central Command.

After successfully completing his Norwich degree, BG Cobb earned a Master of Arts in Business and Organizational Security Management from Webster University and a Master of Science in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College. His military education includes the Field Artillery Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Command and General Staff College, and the Army War College.

Recognitions and Achievements

BG Cobb’s service has been recognized with numerous awards and decorations. Among them are the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. He has also earned the Ranger Tab, Combat Action Badge, Army Master Parachutist Badge, and Air Assault Badge — symbols of both his tactical expertise and his enduring commitment to excellence.

Inspirations for Today's Cadets

For members of the Corps of Cadets, the opportunity to meet and interact with BG Cobb was more than an introduction to a decorated officer; it was a living example of where the Norwich experience can lead. His journey from The Hill to senior Army leadership demonstrates the impact of hard work, education, and values instilled at the nation’s oldest private military college.

BG Cobb’s return to campus reaffirmed Norwich’s legacy of producing leaders who serve with distinction in peace and war. His words and presence offered cadets a reminder that they, too, are part of a tradition that stretches from the classroom and the training field to the highest levels of service in defense of the nation.