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Two brothers, one mission: Service Before Self

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Diane Slazinik
  • 375th Communications Group

What greater contribution can a family make than to make the commitment of service to the Air Force and the nation? That is exactly what twin brothers Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Jackson and Tech. Sgt. Nathan Jackson have done. Growing up in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the brothers shared a love of football, basketball, tennis, chess, and most of all — family! The brothers also shared a commitment to others.

Nicholas and Nathan were involved in many outreach initiatives as young men. The brothers were active participants in Upward Bound, an organization that provides opportunities for participants to succeed in pre-college performance as well as to have increased access to higher education.

They also worked with Student Venture, an interdenominational Christian organization that promotes evangelism and discipleship on junior and senior campuses, and participated in the Chattanooga Highland Park Boys Club of America. Ultimately though, they found their youthful passion was in the sport of tennis.

The twins were active members of the Chattanooga Racqueteers, a tennis organization that promotes youth development in the sport of tennis. Their commitment to this endeavor paid dividends — the boys led their high school, Brainerd High, to its first ever State competition appearance in 1999, and again in 2001. It culminated with an invitation to join the United States Tennis Association, earning rankings in the State of Tennessee.

As much as the brothers were committed to community organizations, their overarching aspiration was always to serve others by answering an even greater calling — to serve their nation in the United States Air Force. Nicholas and Nathan took advantage of the Air Force Buddy Program, joining the Delayed Entry Program and waiting a year to be able to go Basic Military Training together in the Administrator Air Force Specialty Code.

The twins were accustomed to the military lifestyle. Both of their parents served in the Army and their grandfather served in the Air Force for 23 years as a supply technician. Luck followed Nathan and Nicholas and they were both given a first duty station in Oklahoma, Nathan at Vance Air Force Base and Nicholas nearby at Altus Air Force Base. Their drive to reach out and impact others is evident in the paths they followed from there. Nicholas later became an instructor at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia while Nathan served as an instructor abroad at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, United Kingdom.

The brothers’ paths have taken them around the world and find them both currently in similar positions once again: Nathan is the NCOIC of the official mail center at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., and Nicholas is the official mail manager of the official mail center at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. Their commitment to excellence is demonstrated in their continuous pursuit of personal and professional development. Both brothers were awarded their Community College of the Air Force Associates in Information Management and Instructor of Military Science and Technology. Nicholas went on to receive his Bachelors of Science in Information Technology and Masters in Organizational Leadership, with honors, through Columbia Southern University. Nathan received his Bachelors of Arts in Business Information Systems with Honors through Ashford University and his Master’s in Business Administration with a concentration in Strategic Leadership with Honors through Trident University International.

The brothers remain committed to the organizations that helped instill the values and confidence to make them great leaders in the Air Force and continuously seek out new opportunities to have a positive impact on those around them, the rising leaders of tomorrow. They are committed to serving as ambassadors for the United States Air Force by setting the example for others and mentoring those around them so that when the day comes, the next generation is prepared to take their places as the influential leaders of tomorrow.