TOPEKA (KSNT) - Born in Topeka and growing up in the Prairie Band Potawatomi Reservation, Sgt. E5 Robert Jackson along with his cousin Wishkno joined up with the Kansas Army National Guard. In the 2000's, Robert served overseas across multiple deployments to Egypt and Iraq.
“Being able to serve with a family member, it just made it a lot easier," Jackson said. "A lot of prayers, a lot of family members and community that really touched and reached out to us, and additionally kept us safe.”
The duo joined up at the same time through the battle buddy program. Overseas they served as personal security for ambassadors and dignitaries.
“We spent a year in Baghdad Iraq, in the international zone," Jackson said. "Funny story about that, they never teamed us up. We was always in separate squads. He would be either in advanced squad and I’d be in the rear, or vice versa. I think they knew we had some type of protection, and some type of power with us.”
Jackson's skillset was put to the test as a gunner and a driver.
“You have to make the judgment calls," He said. "It was tough at times, I mean split decision things. But we trained, and we trained to fight, and that was essential, and that was valuable to what we did.”
That training came in handy across his decade of service, volunteering for a deployment to Egypt and a second tour to Iraq.
From providing security for a refugee camp to protecting vital ambassador's, Jackson took pride in the responsibilities and self-sacrifice that came with his roles.
‘It was important, it was important to the mission, the overall mission that we were there for," He said. "The dignitaries, they needed to complete their job. It was a daily task, so we took our duties seriously, ensuring that they were safe. If something got hot we was out of there, we needed to make sure they were safe. It was an important part of what we were doing.”
Jackson's qualities of selflessness continue to this day. He works for the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation a part of their Veteran's program We-ta-se. For over half a decade, Jackson has helped out with transporting fellow veterans for their medical, nutritional or recreational needs - an essential service for those living in that rural area.
