Staff Sergeant Ian Jackson
Age: 32
Current Position: Team chief, computers/automation section
Current Unit: Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3-158th Assault Helicopter Battalion
Component: Active Army
Current Location: U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach, Germany
Hometown: Spanaway, Wash.
Years of Service: 10 years
College: Touro University, Nevada
Staff Sergeant Ian Jackson recently led a U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach squad to the Installation Management Command-Europe boxing tournament team title.
Ansbach coaches Herb Ruffin and Bryon Chonoy praised Jackson, the team's captain, for "leading by example" by always arriving on time for practice and being out front during runs through the snow.
"I'm learning leadership skills while on the Ansbach boxing team," said Jackson, who is scheduled to attend drill sergeant school in May and called boxing as the perfect training tool to prepare for the next step in his career as a noncommissioned officer.
"I know as an NCO, I have to set the standard - and fitness is important," said the Washington native, who scored a 300 on his last PT test.
On long trips to boxing tournament, Jackson talks "Army stuff" with his young teammates. "If I can't respond to their questions on the spot," he said, "I will give a correct answer at the next practice."
The Ansbach staff sergeant also noted that the time following any sporting event provides an opportunity for NCOs and junior Solider to talk, which he called "a occasion for positive team building."
After all, life is longer than just three rounds in the ring.
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