Dr. Damon Jackson

Dr. Julnudda “Dr. J” Jackson was appointed as the director of the Alaska Military Youth Academy (AMYA) on Dec 22, 2025. Dr. Jackson served the Municipality of Anchorage as a senior patrol officer assigned to the Community Action Team from November 2007 until he accepted his appointment into the AMYA director’s position. He also serves as a member of the Alaska Air National Guard in the grade of Lieutenant Colonel with over 27 years of military service. Dr. Jackson was appointed as the Alaska State Provost Marshal for the Department of Military and Veteran Affairs (DMVA) in the Alaska Joint Forces Headquarters where his responsibilities included advising The Adjutant General and Alaska National Guard commanders as the senior law enforcement officer and conducting investigations into serious matters involving service members. Additionally, prior to his appointment into the Provost Marshal, he was a rescue aircraft maintenance officer responsible for the 176th Maintenance Group ensuring the execution of the 176 Wing Flying Program, logistics, scheduling, and planning of preventative and scheduled aircraft maintenance.

In 1995, Dr. Jackson began his law enforcement career as a non-sworn officer with the El Segundo Police Department in California and became a sworn police officer with the Los Angeles Police Department, shortly thereafter. Changing career course, he began his military career in August 1998 enlisting into active-duty Air Force as a Communication and Navigation Systems Avionic Technician on C-130E Compass Call aircraft. In 2003, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and in 2006 completed his Master of Administration degree in Human Resource Management through University of Phoenix. Dr. Jackson joined the Alaska Air National Guard and served as an aircraft quality assurance inspector in 2007. After 14 years of enlisted service, he was selected to attend the Air National Guard Academy of Military Science Officer Training Program at Maxwell Air Force Base in 2012 where he received his commission. Dr. Jackson's experience led him to traveling over 45 countries, 7 deployments, contingencies to include: Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Inherent Resolve, Operation Freedom Sentinel, and Operation Allies Welcome.

Dr. Jackson continued his post graduate education and earned his Doctorate degree in 2016 through Capella University as a distinguished graduate in Public Safety Leadership studies. His professional development continued as an Adjunct Professor at a technical college and completed his professional military education which emphasized topics such as leadership, mentoring, critical thinking, national strategy, and problem-solving.