Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Brown
NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BAHRAIN – Petty Officer 2nd Class Desi Jackson, a Birmingham, Alabama, native, joined the Navy to pursue new opportunities for a career.
Now, eight years later and half a world away at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Jackson serves at U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) / U.S. 5th fleet. “I am on the admirals staff and it’s great,” said Jackson. “I get the chance to do advance culinary meals, fine dining.”
Jackson, a 2010 graduate of Woodlawn High School, is a culinary specialist at U.S. 5th Fleet, headquartered in Manama, Bahrain.
“We’re the morale boosters of the entire navy because we feed the crew in duty sections, breakfast lunch and dinner,” said Jackson.
Jackson credits success at U.S. 5th Fleet, and in the Navy, to many of the lessons learned in Birmingham.
“I learned to not take everything personal,” said Jackson. “Everything does not work around me or my own personal beliefs and opinions.”
U.S. 5th Fleet directs naval operations to ensure maritime security and stability in the Central Region, which connects the Mediterranean Sea and Pacific Ocean through the western Indian Ocean. They work with partner nations to ensure freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce in international waterways.
The Navy’s U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of ocean, and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. This expanse, comprised of 20 countries, includes three critical choke points; the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab al Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen.
“for me it is very fast-paced as this is my first time being in an intel-command and it is considered a sea duty command,” said Jackson. “I am learning more than I ever thought I would.”
Serving in the Navy means Jackson is part of a world that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
A key element of the Navy is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, and that the nation’s prosperity is tied to the ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans. More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water; 80 percent of the world’s population lives close to a coast; and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea.
“Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.”
Though there are many ways for Sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Jackson is most proud of his family.
“Growing up I always wanted to have a family,” said Jackson. “I am proud to be able to take care of them.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Jackson and other Sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs.
“it means a lot to me, honestly,” said Jackson. “It means I’m doing the right thing, learning experiences about adulthood, manhood, discipline and punctuality.”