Staff Sgt. Jacoby Fannon was born in Big Stone Gap, Virginia and raised in Sanford, North Carolina. He enlisted into the Army September 2012 as an 11B, Infantryman. Upon completion of OSUT at Fort Benning, Fannon was assigned to 4th Brigade, 2nd Battalion 12th Infantry Regiment Scouts Reconnaissance section located in Fort Carson, Colorado. During his time with the 4th Infantry Division, Fannon served as a Rifleman through Team Leader, and conducted two combat deployments to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Fannon also served as the NCOIC of the funeral detail for 4th Infantry Division conducting over 100 military services and ceremonies.
In May 2017, Fannon was assigned as an Instructor/ Shooter for the Army’s Marksmanship Master Training Course. During his tour with MMTC, Fannon was able to affect the training of over 2,000 Soldiers. In 2018, Fannon had the opportunity to become a summer shooter with the United States Marksmanship Unit Service Rifle Team achieving Expert classification with rifle and Master classification for Long Range.
Fannon was assigned to 3rd Infantry Division, Task Force 1-28IN, Battle Company on Fort Benning Georgia in June 2020. Fannon filled roles as Squad Leader and Platoon Sergeant during this time. Fannon also served as the Battalion Marksmanship Master Trainer. Upon completion of his key leader development time, he was assigned to the United States Army Marksmanship Unit’s Instructor Training Group in November 2021.
Fannon's awards and decorations include Army Commendation Medal with five oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Army Good Conduct medal with four oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service medal, Afghanistan Campaign medal with two campaign stars, Global War on Terrorism service medal, Army Service ribbon, Overseas ribbon, NATO medal, Expert Infantryman’s badge and Combat Infantryman’s badge. He has attended Advanced Situation Awareness B, Marksmanship Master Trainer course, Common Faculty Development Instructor course, Advance Leader Course, Basic Leader Course, Unit Armorer Course, Air Assault Course, Battle Staff Course, Equal Opportunity Leaders Course, Master Resiliency Trainer Course, Combatives Level 1 and Homeland Security Investigations Firearms Instructor Certification/Pistol Optics Instructor Course.