U.S. Navy Rear Admiral (Lower Half) Stephen “Josh” Jackson was born in Syracuse, New York, and he attended school in the Fayetteville-Manlius School District before receiving an appointment to attend the U.S. Naval Academy. He graduated from the Naval Academy in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and holds a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College.
In 1993, Rear Admiral Jackson married the love of his life, Barbara, and they have three sons: Stephen, Riley, and Dalton. Dalton is currently serving as a Lieutenant Junior Grade in the U.S. Navy and is stationed in Pensacola, Florida attending Navy Flight School.
Upon commissioning, Rear Admiral Jackson entered the Navy’s surface warfare pipeline and served aboard USS Reuben James (FFG-57), where he deployed twice to the Persian Gulf. After selection for lateral transfer to Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and successful completion of Basic Diving Officer and EOD training, he reported to EOD Mobile Unit (EODMU) 2 in Virginia Beach, VA and served aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) and USS George Washington (CVN 73). He has completed six shipboard deployments across the globe and four combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Rear Admiral Jackson’s command assignments include commanding officer of EODMU 2, where he deployed his unit to Iraq; commander, EOD Group 2, where he manned, trained, and equipped East Coast EOD and mobile diving and salvage forces in support of combatant commanders worldwide; and commander, Task Force 56, headquartered in Bahrain, where he employed Navy expeditionary combat forces in support of the U.S. 5th Fleet.
Rear Admiral Jackson is currently serving as the Director of Intelligence at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency in Fort Belvoir, VA. Additionally, Rear Admiral Jackson is one of two Admirals who lead the Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal community and oversees the development and community health of 450 EOD officers and 1,100 enlisted EOD technicians that deploy worldwide. He ensures that Navy EOD programs, policies and core functions enable flexible, innovative, well-trained and capable Navy EOD warfighters in support of our national defense.
Rear Admiral Jackson’s proudest military moment has been representing YOUR NAVY during Syracuse Navy Week and his assignment as Commanding Officer of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit TWO, where he deployed his unit to Iraq as a Battalion-equivalent Joint Task Force, leading counter-improvised explosive device operations in direct support of U.S. Division North (3rd Infantry Division). During this combat deployment, he was awarded the Combat Action Ribbon and his second of two Bronze Stars.