By Master Sgt. Michele R. Hammonds
1st Theater Sustainment Command Public Afairs
CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – Vietnam veteran and former Marine Sgt. Andrew Jackson never dreamed he would be promoted to Chief Warrant Officer 5, but that is exactly what happened to him July 1.
The feat took Jackson 41 years to accomplish. Jackson is the senior logistics advisor for Third Army/U. S. Army Central, at Fort McPherson, Ga., and Class-9 officer in charge. He supervises 11 military personnel and five contract employees. Jackson has held nearly every rank from private, to sergeant first class, to warrant officer. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps October 1966, a decision that would take him to Vietnam for two combat tours in 1967 and 1970. The decision to join the Marine Corps nearly cost him his life.
"We were pinned down and we were ambushed. At the time one of the guys in my squad stepped on a land mine and fragmentation from the land mine wounded several of us in the field," said Jackson, who was a Marine infantry sergeant at the time. "Then they left me, but my battle buddy, Sgt. Johnson, came to my rescue and he got me out of the rice paddies and got me onto the medevac (medical evacuation) chopper."
Jackson, 58, a native of Chester, S.C., said he does not like to talk about Vietnam; however, he has held onto some of the Army's traditions and teachings about the importance of battle buddies.
"When we mention buddy system, some Soldiers take it for a joke," he said. "But, when you really get pinned down, your battle buddy is what you need. I am from the old school of the Army. They always taught that as I came up."
Eventually, Jackson was moved from Japan to the Portsmouth Naval Hospital for additional care. He received the Bronze Star Medal with "V" device for valor and the Purple Heart Medal for his service in Vietnam. Although badly wounded, Jackson recuperated and left the active duty Marine Corps and joined the reserve. However, he missed serving his country on a full-time basis, so he met with an Army recruiter and enlisted in the active Army.
"It's just that I love to serve my country," he said. "Since I left Vietnam, I have tried to make a footprint with some of the young troops and some of the young Soldiers I work with and touch. I think throughout the years I have done a pretty good job."
He received his appointment and was commissioned as a warrant officer at Fort Rucker, Ala., in 1989.
"I think about all the levels I have been from private to (non-commissioned officer)," he said. "I was in warrant school when my mom passed. She told me to keep going. Sometimes I felt like I was not going to have the fight in me."
Saddened at the loss of his mom, Jackson managed to overcome his grief by helping others. Throughout his career, Jackson helped more than 10 enlisted Soldiers get into the warrant officer corps.
"I have helped young NCOs that have made sergeant major (through my guidance) and young E-5s that have gone on to make sergeant first class," Jackson said.
Chief Warrant Officer SAO David, Materiel Management, OIC, Equipment Readiness Branch, Distribution Management Center, knows all too well about Jackson's compassion for Soldiers. Jackson took David under his wing and has provided mentor-ship to him for the past 12 years. They have been on three deployments together along with a handful of other 1st Sustainment Command (Theater) Soldiers.
"Chief (Jackson) is a consummate professional," said David, 47, of Darby, Pa. "He has been the greatest mentor that I would ever hope to have and for the Army as a whole. He came from the Vietnam era and was able to transition into the new Army today. Chief Jackson is a true professional."
Currently battle buddies, Jackson and David are serving in Kuwait at Camp Arifjan and are assigned to the 1st Sustainment Command (Theater) where they are part of Third Army (Forward) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
"Chief Jackson's knowledge about deployment goes back to Vietnam, and so he brings a lot to us younger volunteer Soldiers," said David, who has nearly 19 years of service under his belt.
Chief Warrant Officer Ronnie Stephens, an electric missile technician, works for Jackson. Stephens, who has served in the Army for 17 years, said Jackson is a friend and like a father to him.
"Chief Jackson is a real person and his rank does not define him," said Stephens, a 38- year-old native of Dallas. "His experience flows naturally and he will always share his experience with you."
Jackson knew his life had to change when he left Vietnam for the last time in 1971, and he was determined to go forward in a positive way.
"I continue to march, spreading the gospel, taking care of Soldiers, and doing what I can to help," said Jackson, who enjoys running with the troops. "I run, I call cadence, I am always involved with the Soldiers."
Jackson served tours in Vietnam, Okinawa, the Philippines, Korea, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Panama, Afghanistan, Iraq and Turkey.
"All the deployments everywhere I worked, I think I have set a foot print for somebody," Jackson said.
Over the years, Jackson was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2nd Award), Airborne tab and many others. He has completed the Infantry Officer Leader's School, Airborne School, basic and senior warrant officer schools, Combined Arms and Logistics School, and the Army Logistic Management College and other military courses. Jackson is a graduate of Campbell University and has a bachelor's degree in business administration.
Jackson and his wife, Gloria have two grown children and two grandchildren. He has not decided when he will retire. He is authorized to serve until the age of 62.
"But when my engine just isn't right any more then I know it's time to go," said Jackson smiling. "I will be at the flag pole giving my final salute."