Jacobs  served 6 years as an enlisted Airman working as a Russian linguist in Japan and Germany. He attended the University of Alabama for pre-medical studies and the Medical College of Alabama for his MD degree. He did a rotating internship at Malcomb Grow USAF Medical Center, residency in internal medicine and allergy/immunology fellowship at Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center. He served on the staff for one year before assuming the Chief position.