Mobility Airman profile: Deployed Airman always seeking next challenge

Published Aug. 4, 2011
By Senior Airman Patrick McKenna
Air Forces Central Combat Correspondent

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- In today's Air Force, every Airman is expected to push themselves to reach their goals. That means furthering their education, helping their communities, keeping physically fit, and oh, by the way, progressing in their career fields.

For one NCO deployed to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, challenging himself to reach his next goal has never been something he's shied away from.

Tech. Sgt. Julnudda Jackson, a resident of Anchorage, Alaska, is currently deployed from the Alaska Air National Guard's 176th Wing and is serving as a communication and navigation craftsman with the 455th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Bagram.

Following nine years of active-duty service, Jackson transitioned to the Air National Guard with the goals of continuing to serve his country, protecting his community, as well as furthering his education. Today, Jackson is in his fourth year as an Anchorage police officer, has a bachelor's in criminal justice, a master's in human resources, as well as his Community College of the Air Force degree in avionics. He fulfills his ANG duties as a quality assurance inspector.

Early on in his ANG career, Jackson immediately saw similarities between being a police officer and his job with the Alaska ANG.

"As a police officer, you get the satisfaction of protecting your community, helping people and making sure everyone stays safe," said Jackson. "Quality assurance is similar in terms of making sure people are doing things the right way and getting the mission accomplished safely."

Jackson's drive and attitude have impressed those in his chain of command from the moment he joined their unit four years ago.

"I was his immediate supervisor and had the pleasure of starting his Air Guard career," said Master Sgt. Kevin Pitchford, 176th Maintenance Squadron avionic communication/navigation shop supervisor. "Sergeant Jackson was like a breath of fresh air when he joined the unit with such great qualifications. He hit the ground running and hasn't stopped since."

While he was on his quest to finish his bachelor's degree, Jackson felt inspired by his professors and realized he wanted to not only enforce the laws as a police officer, but educate others on the criminal justice system. Now, in addition to protecting and serving the Anchorage community as a police officer, he's also a criminal justice professor at Charter College.

"I always viewed professors as mentors as I went through school," said Jackson. "They had a dedication to make themselves better and that's what I wanted for myself as well. I knew then that I wanted to teach and pass on my hands-on experiences as a police officer to students in the classroom."

Now, on his sixth deployment, Jackson, a married father of two children, has the task of mentoring new Airmen in his shop as well as serving with service members who he's just getting to know. As a communication/navigation craftsman, Jackson and his Airmen are tasked with ensuring all signals travelling to and from the aircraft are working properly. It's a demanding job, but Jackson feels his time as a professor, as well as a police officer, has helped him immensely on this deployment when it comes to working with those individuals to get the mission done.

"Much like my first day in the classroom, or every shift as a police officer, you never know the background or culture of all the people you'll interact with on a deployment," said Jackson. "My background as an educator and police officer has definitely helped me take an objective view of people and their opinions. Not only do I give them my expectations, but I want to get their feedback as well to see if they have any ideas on how to improve what we're doing here."

Being able to balance two civilian careers, a promising military career, and a family continues to impress those around him, although they aren't surprised how well he's done at it.

"You will always meet the individual that just gets by or does just enough or a little bit more than others," said Pitchford. "That's not Sergeant Jackson. He is going to blow the doors off. This is such a unique Airman to maintain and consistently excel when wearing all these hats. It boggles the mind."

So after all he's accomplished, Jackson must be content with his achievements and just want to relax now, right? Guess again.

"He is confident, competent, highly motivated, and always looks forward to the next challenge," said Pitchford. "He has a goal of becoming a commissioned officer. I know he will succeed and I will be proud to serve under him."