Jack grew up attending St. Matthew's Elementary School in Cranston and graduated from La Salle Academy in Providence. He was nominated for an appointment to the United States Military Academy by U.S. Senator John O. Pastore. On July 3, 1967, Reed reported to West Point to begin cadet training. After graduating from the Military Academy in 1971 near the top of his class and receiving an active duty commission in the Army, Reed earned a master's degree in public policy from Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government. Reed also went on to earn a law degree from Harvard Law School in 1982.

One of the highest honors and greatest privileges of Jack's life was commanding his fellow soldiers. He served in the 82nd Airborne Division as an Infantry Platoon Leader, a Company Commander, and a Battalion Staff Officer. He eventually joined the faculty at West Point, teaching cadets about economics and international relations as an Associate Professor within the Department of Social Sciences. He served as a professor at the U.S. Military Academy until August of 1979 when he resigned from active duty as a Captain. He continued serving in the U.S. Army Reserves until June of 1991, when he left the Reserves with the rank of Major. Over the course of his military career, he earned the Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Ranger Tab, Senior Parachutist Badge, and Expert Infantry Badge.

After graduating from law school, Jack became an attorney in private practice, first working as an associate with the law firm of Sutherland, Asbill, & Brennan before moving back to Providence and working for the firm of Edwards & Angell. He specialized in banking and securities law.

When Jack was young, he dreamed of being an architect or a soldier. On November 7, 1960, as he stood with his classmates and teachers along Elmwood Avenue in Cranston, Jack watched as then-Senator John F. Kennedy - who was campaigning to become President - and then-candidate Claiborne Pell - who was running to become Rhode Island's U.S. Senator - drove by his school. Jack never imagined that one day he'd have the opportunity to serve alongside Kennedy's brother and succeed Claiborne Pell in the United States Senate. Reed served three terms in the Rhode Island State Senate, where he focused on housing, children's welfare, and mental health issues. The people of Rhode Island then elected him to serve three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. As Rhode Island Monthly put it- "Since he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1990, Reed has been known as the hardest of workers who tirelessly researches issues and keeps himself in the know. His knowledge ranges far and wide, foreign and local." Senator Reed works every day to help make the federal government more efficient, effective, and responsive to the people of Rhode Island. He has a proven record of working on a bipartisan basis to help solve problems and achieve results. Senator Reed was part of the bipartisan working group that drafted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and successfully led efforts to create the $150 billion Coronavirus Relief Fund to help states combat COVID-19. Senator Reed also helped include a $1.25 billion small state minimum to ensure Rhode Island could effectively respond to the pandemic.

As one of just eight Senators in U.S. history to graduate from West Point, Time magazine noted- "Reed is a serious, intellectually honest veteran and an expert on defense issues in the Senate" and the New York Times describes him as "a quiet deal-maker respected by colleagues in both parties." A senior member of the powerful Appropriations Committee, which controls the funding of the federal government, Senator Reed has been described by the Boston Globe as "a relentless advocate for his home state." As Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development, he works tirelessly to direct federal funding to the Ocean State to create jobs, strengthen its infrastructure, and support economic and community development initiatives.

He has supported clean water projects to ensure both a healthy economy and a healthy environment. And he authored a trio of laws to improve children's health care and ensure our youngest patients get the help they need when they need it- the Childhood Cancer Survivorship, Treatment, Access, and Research (STAR) Act to advance pediatric cancer research and child-focused cancer treatments, improve childhood cancer surveillance, and provide resources for survivors and those impacted by childhood cancer; the Trauma Care Systems Planning and Development Act to establish critical care networks nationwide so that more paramedics and first responders can get trauma care patients to the right doctor at the right time; and the Better Pharmaceuticals and Devices for Children Act (BPDCA) to help ensure drugs and medical devices are specifically tested, labeled, and proven to be safe and effective for children.

Jack Reed and his wife, Julia Hart Reed, have a daughter, Emily.