Rob Jackson: Semper Fi

Rob Jackson, spokesman at Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, was born in Washington, D.C., second oldest of seven children.
He spent about 10 years in foster care, but eventually returned home to spend time with his mother, brothers and sisters (They were separated for a time).
Jackson graduated from Rockville H.S, Rockville, Md., in 1973, and for a time worked full-time and part-time as a janitor before enlisting in the Marine Corps in 1975. He met his wife at a debutante ball in 1972 and they got married in 1978, welcomed their first daughter in this world in 1980. In 1984 their second daughter was born.
“My first two years in the Marine Corps were spent as a combat engineer, which was no more than construction work,” he said. “I felt a need to change jobs so I moved into the Public Affairs field which I enjoyed very much and still do to this day.”
Jackson has traveled to many parts of the world that he knows would not have been possible had he not joined the military. He has been to Japan, Korea, Philippines, Turkey, and even did a stint in Somalia during Operation Restore Hope.
He retired from active duty in 1999 out of the Defense Information School, Fort Meade, Md. He managed to attended college while on active duty but has not completed his degree to date — only have about nine classes left before obtaining his degree in Mass Communications.

Q: Describe a special memory you have in the High Desert.
A: Special memory of the High Desert would be getting assigned here after three years of duty in New Orleans, in 1992. Never will forget the time my family and I had trouble locating Barstow; took a while to find it on the map.  
Q: What do you do in your free time?
A: Read, sit in my back yard and enjoy a good cigar, tinker in the garage, or play video games.

Q: Tell us one thing that most people don’t know about you.
A: I was an amateur bodybuilder for about 10 years.

Q: What person, living or from history, would you most like to have dinner with and why?
A: If I had my choice it would be Frederick Douglass, because I find him to be one of the most influential African Americans in history. I read a lot about him growing up, and I would just like to have a conversation with him about that era and why he chose the path he did.
Q: Who is someone who had a big influence on your life?
A: Aside from my mother, there have been many, but I would have to say it was retired Marine Master Gunnery Sergeant Theresa Gallagher. She taught me a lot as a young Marine like how to improve upon my skills as a journalist, photographer and most importantly, a professional Marine.

Q: What talent do you most wish you had?
A: To be a bass guitar player, following in my grandfather’s footsteps. He was a bass player for a group called the Night Owls. They played in a lot of the small night clubs in the South during the ‘40s and ‘50s, and he was one of the best in my eyes.

Q: What is your favorite quotation?
A: Don’t worry about the things you can’t control, worry about what you can control.
Q: What words of advice do you have for the next generation?
A: Get your education now while you are still young and have a fresh mind. You are the next generations of leaders. Think about that.

Q: Tell us about the charities or causes that are close to your heart and why.
A: March of Dimes, because we nearly lost our youngest child at birth. She was born prematurely and only weighed two pounds, two ounces. I also donate to the Black College Fund, to give young people and opportunity to pay for college.