Sergeant Major Rickey Jackson lives in Columbia, South Carolina, and is currently the 32nd commandant of the U.S. Army Drill Sergeant Academy at Fort Jackson. He grew up in North Philadelphia until his high school Junior ROTC Program inspired him to enlist in 1995. Since then, he has served in locations across the world, including Texas, South Carolina, Kentucky, Georgia, Kansas, South Korea, Iraq, Afghanistan, Poland and Latvia.

Our discussion covers, among other things:
*the classic “shark attack” experience of basic training and how it is evolving
*the unique strength that the U.S. military’s noncommissioned officer corps gives it
*details of his background and various assignments
*his deployment to a remote outpost in Afghanistan and the multiple hats he had to wear
*misperceptions of the Army and what’s being done to correct them

Sgt. Maj. Jackson finds hope in people, generally, and the next generation of soldiers, specifically, when you provide them with proper resources, training and care.