Charles E. Tucker, Jr.

Charles E. Tucker, Jr. is a retired Major General in the United States Air National Guard.

Tucker graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1979 and from the DePaul University College of Law in 1982. As a civilian he has held faculty positions at DePaul University and Bradley University and has served as Senior Field Attorney for the National Labor Relations Board. He currently serves as the co-founder an Executive Director of the World Engagement Institute (WEInstitute), Chicago, Illinois. and previously served as Executive Director of the International Human Rights Law Institute (IHRLI) of DePaul University College of Law. He develops and promotes the fundamental rights of peoples around the world through education, research, documentation, capacity building and advocacy. He also engages in post-conflict justice capacity building programs and large-scale human rights documentation projects throughout the world.

Career

Tucker joined the United States Air Force in 1979 and served in the Judge Advocate General's Corps. His duties have included assignments in Germany and Turkey and faculty positions at the United States Air Force Academy. Tucker transferred to the United States Air Force Reserve in 1992 and to the Wisconsin Air National Guard in 1993. Later assignments included Legal and Economic Advisor to the High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Military Legal Advisor to the United States Ambassador to Iraq, and United States Department of Defense Counsel General. In 2001, he was named the Air National Guard's Outstanding Judge Advocate (Lawyer) of the year. Immediately prior to his retirement in 2009, General Tucker served on the joint staff of the National Guard Bureau as the Director of Doctrine, Training and Force Development. In this capacity, he was responsible for developing training and exercise policies and programs to ensure joint units of the National Guard are ready to respond to their homeland defense and homeland security missions. He also formulated National Guard Joint Professional Military Education policy, and coordinates periodic review of all Joint Professional Military Education curricula. His retirement was effective as of January 30, 2009.

Awards he has received include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf cluster, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with silver oak leaf cluster and two bronze oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with oak leaf cluster, the Kosovo Campaign Medal with service star, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Overseas Service Ribbon with three oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with gold border and three oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Longevity Service Award with silver oak leaf cluster, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with three mobilization devices and silver hourglass device, the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, the Air Force Training Ribbon, the United Nations Medal, and the NATO Medal.