MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif., - Being a military family means having to endure late nights, long periods of no contact with loved ones and ever-changing deployment schedules. In order to help families overcome these difficulties, the Marine Corps has placed a family readiness officer in units to be the point of contact between a Marine or sailor’s unit and their family.
The 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, recently welcomed Nori A. Jackson as the new family readiness officer.
Jackson, a military spouse of 17 years, has experienced first-hand the issues that military families deal with due to a demanding military schedules first-hand.
“I’ve been there and done that,” said Jackson, a native of Newport, N.C. “I hope to use my experience to take care of the families, so when Marines are out doing their job they can focus on that and not have to worry if there is being family is taken care of.”
Jackson has been a FRO since the program was first implemented in 2008. Since then, she has helped numerous service members and their families prepare for deployments, educated spouses on resources available to them regarding education and improved the overall quality of life for military families.
Before joining the MEU, Jackson was attached to 1st Battalion, 11th Marines, and is eager to bring the same energy she had there to the team here.
“I’m taking this position with the idea of going forward,” said Jackson. “I want to bring some of the [tactics] that were successful with my last unit here, as well as try new things that will be more beneficial for the Marines and sailors.”
Jackson’s first order of business as the FRO is to get to know the Marines and sailors personally.
“I want them to trust me because that is the only way we all become one big happy family,” said Jackson. “The way to do that is for me to get to know them, not just ‘oh hey that’s corporal so and so.’”
As the FRO, Jackson also works with single Marines by keeping their families updated on how their Marine is doing.
“I work for them,” said Jackson. “There are unlimited amounts of resources available to Marines, sailors and their families. My job is to make sure they’re aware of them.”
Jackson expressed that the greatest reward she gets as a FRO is seeing the impact she has on the families.
“I’ve always felt like I needed to serve,” said Jackson. “This was the perfect job. I love my country and what a better way to serve than to serve the families of those who sacrifice so much.”
Jackson is available for assistance anytime by calling 760-429-5385 or by emailing nori.jackson@usmc.mil.