Editor's note: In honor of Anniston Army Depot's 75th anniversary, TRACKS is looking back at the installation's changes through the eyes of those who were present.
ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Ala. -- Bobby Jackson, a welder in the Small Arms Repair Facility, began his depot career in 1976 as a welder in the Combat Vehicle Repair Facility when he was 20 years old.
"It was the end of the Vietnam War and the depot was refurbishing M60s and M48s," he said, recalling the types of work he did during that time.
He worked with combat vehicles four years before accepting a job as the welder for small arms. The work, he said, is similar, just a lot smaller and more detailed.
"I went from heavy welding to a lighter version in small arms," said Jackson. "There isn't a lot of room for error when working on a weapon. If you mess up when welding a gun, it's messed up."
Quality has always been important for Jackson and his coworkers, who, he says, have always checked behind each other. In the Small Arms Repair Facility, he feels secure in the work he performs, especially knowing processes to look for microscopic cracks and crevices are used to verify his welds.
Jackson's son currently serves in the military. So, he appreciates the work depot employees do to create equipment which will work right the first time and every time.
As Jackson built his depot career, he built friendships as well. Many of those he knew when he accepted the job here had gone to school with him at Ayers Technical College.
"The depot has been good to me. I thank God I've lasted this long here," he said.
Among the changes Jackson has noted over the years is a change in the safety culture of the installation. Employees now are more safety-minded than they once were.
"Over the years, there has been a bigger stress on the health of employees," he said. "They teach us more about being healthy and being safe these days."
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