The irony isn't lost on Joshua Jacobs.
For years, the Army veteran lived by the military principle of light discipline—the practice of limiting visible light to protect troops in dangerous environments. Today, the former infantry paratrooper and veteran police officer has built a business around creating light instead.
As the owner of Light Discipline, a holiday lighting company established in 2020, Jacobs spends his days transforming homes and businesses into custom displays that brighten neighborhoods and mark life's biggest celebrations.
Josh grew up in Algonquin and graduated from Jacobs High School before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 2002. Assigned to the elite 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, he deployed to Afghanistan and twice to Iraq as an infantry paratrooper. Those years shaped his discipline and resilience, but they also came at a cost. Like many combat veterans, Josh experienced the lasting effects of war after losing fellow soldiers during deployment.
Rather than letting those experiences define him, they reinforced something that had always been important to him—service.
After earning a degree in Criminal Justice from Illinois State University, Josh entered law enforcement, where he spent more than a decade serving his community as a police officer specializing in investigations, crisis intervention, and SWAT operations.
Inspired by a former colleague in Bloomington who had launched a holiday lighting company, Josh saw an opportunity to create something different when he returned to the Algonquin area. As a proud single father with full custody of his daughter, he wanted to build a business that offered both stability and the flexibility to be present for the moments that mattered most. Mission accomplished: you'll often find Josh on the sidelines coaching his daughter's softball team.
For Josh, Light Discipline isn't simply about holiday décor—it's about creating moments of joy.
"People get excited," he says. "They don't have to worry about climbing ladders or untangling lights. They can simply enjoy the season."
That peace of mind is something he takes seriously. Every installation is carefully planned and customized to the home or business, reflecting the same attention to detail that has guided him throughout his military and law enforcement careers.
Unlike many holiday lighting companies that operate as seasonal side businesses, Light Discipline is a full-time operation, specializing in custom-cut holiday lighting. Josh begins installations as early as September, offering incentives to customers who reserve their place before the holiday rush.
Customization is at the heart of every project and no two designs are alike. Each display is designed specifically for the property's architecture and the client's vision. Low-voltage lights are ordered for each customer, carefully labeled, and organized into dedicated storage crates after the season ends. The homeowner simply stores the bins until the following year, when every strand is ready to be reinstalled exactly where it belongs.
For Josh, the name Light Discipline carries special meaning. In the military, light discipline refers to controlling or limiting light so soldiers remain concealed during combat operations. Today, the phrase has taken on a new meaning. Through his business, Josh uses light not for concealment, but to create warmth, celebration, and lasting memories for the families and businesses he serves.
Service hasn't disappeared from Josh's life—it has simply taken a different form. Each year, Light Discipline honors a local veteran, active-duty service member, police officer, firefighter, or first responder by providing complimentary holiday lighting installation and removal through the company's Hometown Heroes program. It's a small gesture that reflects the values that have guided Josh throughout every stage of his life.
For Josh Jacobs, the work has never been just about holiday lights. It's about creating something that brings people together, sparks joy, and makes life a little brighter. In many ways, Light Discipline reflects the journey that brought him here—discipline, service, and finding new ways to brighten the lives of others.