*This is the third in a series of articles recognizing Simpson County’s veterans.
His troops called him Captain Jack because they loved and respected him as their commander. Jamie Jackson retired from active duty in 2015 after serving 25 years in the military.
Jackson, now 54, joined the U.S. Army National Guard in 1989 shortly after graduating from Crystal Springs High School. “I went to Fort Jackson, S.C., for my basic training. Then I did a split option. What that means is you go to college; you do your basic training in one summer. Then the next summer you do your Advanced Individual Training, AIT. The day I graduated from AIT, Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, August 1, 1990.”
Jackson was enrolled at Hinds Community College at that time; however, three weeks into the fall semester he was called up and sent to Fort Benning, GA. Jackson was trained as a parts and equipment specialist. “I was the guy in the Motor Pool. I was the Auto Zone guy. The mechanics fixing something would come to me. I’ve done logistics all my life.”
He left Fort Benning and went to Saudi Arabia, where he landed in what he called Tent City, saying everyone who entered went through Tent City. After a few days Jackson went on to Riyadh, the base where most of the generals were stationed including General Norman Schwarzkopf.
“Before the war (Persian Gulf War) started, we were convoying, taking all the supplies and troops, escorting them,” said Jackson. “But when the war started we fell back and stayed in Riyadh. That’s where the generals were doing all the briefings from.”
Soldiers there thought they were safe, but Jackson said the enemy would launch Scud missiles toward Riyadh to disrupt the supply chain, his very work. “We had the protocol. When the sirens go off you had to put your gas mask on, get to the bunker. It got so – you were tired – one after another. It was mostly at night.”
Jackson continued, “I can remember during the war we went up to the port to pick up some supplies and bring them back to Riyadh. We were sitting there watching TV when we got back. Where we went to get the stuff, that’s where the new troops come in. In that chow hall the Pennsylvania Unit had just gotten into the country. The Scud that hit that chow hall— we were there at that same chow hall two or three days before. That just shows you how fragile war is.” It was a sobering event as several were killed.
“When it’s war, you don’t have to be on the front lines for something to happen.” That deployment was from October 1990 to April 1991. “I was happy to get back,” Jackson said, crediting God and His faithfulness during those days to sustain him.
After ten years Jackson attended Officer Cadet School and became an officer spending most of his time at Camp Shelby. It was used as a mobilization center where soldiers were trained before deployment.
Jackson traveled the world while participating in several training events. “A country boy from Mississippi would have never had a chance to do all that.”
He led troops and appreciated the opportunity to pass on knowledge to the younger ones, instilling military values.
“That was the best time,” he said. “That’s my heart. I commanded troops at the detachment at the 298 in Philadelphia, Miss. Once I was getting ready to come out of command I had some of the soldiers saying, ‘Captain Jackson you’re the best commander I ever had.’ That meant a lot. We were going to get the mission done, but I knew how to treat people. I took that with me.” Jackson has no regrets.
He now works at Entergy Corporation in Magee using the same skill set he used while serving in the Army. “I am the storekeeper. I’m the guy who can get things for you. ‘Hey, can you bring me a transformer? Hey, can you order this for me?’ I’m that guy.” Jackson is also the delivery man so linemen do not have to stop the job at hand.
He still quotes military time when he says he works from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, with Fridays off from Entergy, A schedule that allows him time to work the 25 head of cattle in his cow/calf operation.
Jackson has four adult children and five grandchildren who are all under the age of 7. He smiles ear to ear as he speaks of the grands. “I’m Poppy. I have them marching!” Two of his children enlisted and served in the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force. “I like that structure. I wish more young people would do that even if it’s just for one tour.”
Jackson has worked logistics his whole life, first as a military man and now in the private sector. “I love it; I love getting people what they need when they need it. Because the mission is going to suffer if you don’t get them what they need. I wasn’t the best soldier because I ran and captured bunkers. But I was the best soldier because I was a team player and I knew I was going to get the mission done. They used to always tell us the difference between a click and a bang is logistics.”
Jackson also did a lot of recruiting in the surrounding areas. “I helped them. Several enlisted. I consider myself the godfather of recruiting!”
In addition, he has helped several young people with math in preparation to take the ASVAB, the armed services qualification test. He is equipped. His bachelor’s degree from University of Southern Mississippi is in industrial engineering and technology. He also earned a master’s in business administration from USM.
“I don’t know how many kids I helped – it’s over 100 – get into different branches of service,” he said. “That’s one of the things I’m always going to hang my hat on. I’m proud of that and that can’t be taken away. I’m glad I was able to help.” Jackson still hears from some of the young people he influenced.
He also is the commander of the local American Legion Post 93 in Magee. Captain Jack is still serving his country.
