FORT KNOX, Ky. — Col. Kevin L. Jackson, the newly appointed chief of staff of V Corps, stands at the helm of one of the most storied commands in the U.S. Army. With a legacy that spans over a century, V Corps has been at the forefront of every major conflict since World War I. From the beaches of Normandy to the current operations in Europe, V Corps has always answered the nation's call. For Jackson, this legacy isn't just history—it's a guiding light for the future.
Born and raised on the south side of Chicago, Jackson grew up with a deep sense of duty and a passion for service. His father, a retired Chicago police officer, and his mother, a social worker, instilled in him the values of hard work, dedication and community. These values, combined with his early love for the Army, shaped his path to becoming the leader he is today.
"My first day, it was a Thursday, and I walked down the hall and I looked out there on the pictures on the wall of all the former commanders," Jackson recalled. "And you look at the legends on that wall who have influenced the Army for the last 100 years, back from Creighton Abrams, Colin Powell, the Sanchez, William Wallaces, the Kolasheskis, the Costanzas, all legends and giants in our Army, and I'm just part that I get to be part that."
As chief of staff, Jackson's primary goal is to ensure that V Corps continues to lead from the front, both in terms of military operations and in supporting the soldiers who serve.
"One of my main jobs is to get our message out across the Army and across the world of the great things that the soldiers of V Corps do and then for me, is to influence the processes and the operations that impact all the soldiers,” stated Jackson.
Jackson's leadership philosophy is strongly influenced by the history of V Corps. He views the Corps' past not just as a series of historical events, but as a source of valuable lessons that guide his approach to leadership.
"You look back at World War I and D-Day in Normandy during World War II, and V Corps was there," he said. "It inspires me to be a better leader and work harder, knowing the sacrifices made by our soldiers and the important role they play in deterrence."
Jackson also emphasized the importance of aligning talent with mission needs.
"We have a tremendous amount of talent in V Corps," he noted. "My role is to ensure that talent at the right places and solves the right problems that are going to enhance the operations for V Corps."
But Jackson's vision goes beyond just operations. He is committed to recognizing the contributions of every soldier in the Corps.
"The most valuable lesson is just take care of your people," he emphasizes. "If you take care of your team, your soldiers, provide opportunities to recognize them, they will always give you 110% and there's no mission that you can't accomplish. There's nothing that you can't do, as long as you have the strength of the team."
Jackson's recent trip to the command post in Poland reinforced his commitment to improving the quality of life and mission capacity for V Corps soldiers.
"I learned quite a bit," he says. "I met with several sections to see the work that the team is doing to help some of our initiatives, things like SHARP… I really got a better sense of the quality of life."
As V Corps continues to strengthen NATO's deterrence efforts, Jackson reflects on the importance of their mission.
"We're part of history. Since the 2014 Crimea [crisis:] and then the recent operations that are going on in Ukraine, with Russia and the Ukrainian people,” stated Jackson. “We have to work hard, and we've had to do our best to build capacity in NATO and also to create that deterrence piece, as well as postured across Europe to war fight."
For Jackson, the legacy of V Corps is a living thing—one that drives him to give his all every day.
"What V Corps can expect for me as a chief of staff is, I'm going to give you 120-150%," he declares. "I'm going to work hard, I'm going to collaborate across all our subordinate commands. I'm going to recognize our people, and I'm going to lead from the front and tackle the hard, hard initiatives and the hard tasks that make operations better, that make quality of life [better.] And then I'm going to help Lt. Gen. Costanza and Command Sgt. Maj. Blaisdell build a positive command climate."
In Jackson's hands, the legacy of V Corps is not just preserved but expanded. His leadership ensures that the Corps remains a vital asset to NATO, ready to face any challenge and write the next chapter in its storied history.
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