From Special Reports
On March 29, Airman First Class Mercedez Jackson graduated from the United States Air Force Materiel Management Apprentice Course at Joint Base Lackland AFB, Texas. A1C Jackson received distinguished honors wearing the “Green Ropes,” worn by Airman who have volunteered for the United States Air Force’s Airman Leader program, a student-leadership system employed at the Air Force technical training schools designed to cultivate leadership skills among promising Airmen.
Green Ropes are given responsibility over all the Airmen in an element or assigned to a Dormitory Bay (they’re sometimes referred to as “Bay Chiefs” or “Element Leader”), and are frequently the Airman leaders assigned to march students to and from their classes. With 99% overall average in conjunction with class leader duties, A1C Jackson was selected as the top overall airmen even among more senior enlisted personnel attending the course.
Jackson received the USAF Air Education and Training Command Commander’s Award for superior academic achievement, high standards of leadership, teamwork and character.
Her aunt, former Staff Sergeant Brandi Jackson completed the same Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) in 1999 with the same unit. Her grandfather, Retired Chief Master Sergeant Jerome Jackson had the honor of pinning on her basic materiel management badge following the ceremony. A1C Jackson will return to Key Field then Keesler AFB in Biloxi to complete her training requirements. Jackson is assigned as materiel management specialist with 186th Logistical Readiness Squadron in Meridian.
