MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2014 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Jackson (32nd), Butler (38th), Carmichael, Chassaniol, Clarke, Fillingane, Lee, Montgomery, Parker, Stone
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND SALUTING THE MILITARY AND PUBLIC SERVICE OF MISSISSIPPI AIR NATIONAL GUARD CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT JEROME JACKSON OF PRESTON, MISSISSIPPI, ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT.
WHEREAS, Mississippi Air National Guard Chief Master Sergeant Jerome Jackson of Preston, Mississippi, is a Combat Veteran of Operation Desert Shield/Storm and Operation Noble Eagle; and
WHEREAS, from 2008, he has held the rank of Chief Master Sergeant for the Mississippi Air National Guard assigned to the Joint Forces Headquarters, Air Guard, Jackson, Mississippi. He has been responsible for all training and assignment policy affecting over 2,900 enlisted personnel statewide; coordinating and implementing compliance through a visitation program to two wings, geographical separated units and the Combat Readiness Training Center; and identifying issues and recommending action directly to commanders. He maintains a close relationship between the enlisted personnel, Chief of Staff and the Assistant Adjutant General for Air/Commander, Mississippi Air National Guard. At the rank of Senior Master Sergeant (E-8) he was mobilized in support of Operation Noble Eagle just prior to 9/11; and
WHEREAS, after being promoted to Chief Master Sergeant by Adjutant General Harold Cross his duties have included: serving in the capacity of State Human Resource Advisor; facilitated training to enhance opportunities for all Air National Guard members to maximize their individual potential for success; maintained liaison and team relations with Wing Commanders; Wing Command Chief Master Sergeants, Community Manager, Director of Personnel, Military Equal Opportunity Officer 186th and 172nd Human Resource Advisors, First Sergeants, Recruiters, Retention Officer Manager, Chaplain and community leaders; he served in the capacity of Communications Superintendent supervising all matters concerning communications support across full spectrum of strategic operations to both wings and combat readiness training centers; and supervised force protection duties, responsible for day to day functions as the Director of Operations, including the use of deadly force to protect personnel and resources, nuclear and conventional weapons systems and other resources; and served as the Chief of Safety, Security, Maintenance and Transportation for over 1300 students and 120 staff members on three campuses in the Kemper County School District. He enforced school board policy and procedures to ensure the safety of staff and students during school hours and special events. From 2000 to 2009, he served as State Evaluator of the Department of Education under the Division of Safe and Orderly Schools. During the post Hurricane Katrina recovery, he was selected by Adjutant General Harold Cross to support Colonel Sasson, officer in charge of the Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (M.A.S.H) with safety and protection over 300 treated victims and a 7500-square-foot facility during the aftermath of Katrina; and
WHEREAS, from 1978 to 2003, Sergeant Jackson held the rank of Staff Sergeant as the Public Affairs Officer for Mississippi Highway Patrol Troop H, Meridian District 6, and the senior road trooper responsible for the enforcement of all traffic laws, rules and regulations of the State of Mississippi upon an assigned portion of the State Highway System; and
WHEREAS, as a MHP Trooper/Investigator assigned to the Bureau, he conducted investigations for both the Highway Safety Patrol and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics. He was selected to serve as a Special Response Team member in statewide responses to prison breaks across the state, particularly at the Mississippi Department of Corrections at Parchman; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Jackson has received the following awards and decorations: Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Award, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with ten Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Stars, Southwest Asia Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Armed Forces Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with five Oak Leaf Clusters, Armed Reserves Medal with gold hourglass device and two Oak Leaf Clusters, Small Arms Expert Ribbon with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Training Ribbon, Kuwait Liberation Medal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait Liberation Medal Government of Kuwait, Mississippi Magnolia Medal, Mississippi Medal of Efficiency, Mississippi War Medal with one Bronze Star, Mississippi Emergency Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Clusters, Mississippi Service School Medal with eight Oak Leaf Clusters, Mississippi Longevity Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters, 1985 Commandant Award Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, 1987 Governor's Voluntary of the Year, Jackson, 1987 State Trooper of the Year Troop H Meridian, 1988 Chiefs Award Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, 1988 Medgar Evers Leadership Award, FCM Headstart, Jackson, Mississippi, 1988 Point Life Award President George Bush (41), Washington, DC 1989 American Legion Purple Heart, Meridian, 1990 Statewide Headstart Voluntary of the Year, Jackson, 2003 Senior Mississippi Air National Guard NCO of the Year (Statewide); and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride and humility that we pay tribute to one of Mississippi's most devoted military and public servants:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize and salute the military and public service career of Mississippi Air National Guard Chief Master Sergeant Jerome Jackson, of Preston, Mississippi, on the occasion of his retirement, and extend to Sergeant Jackson and his family the thanks of a grateful state for his leadership and dedication.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Jerome Jackson and his family, transmitted to the Adjutant General of Mississippi Air National Guard and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.