An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

BU NROTC Alums Serve Together 29 Years Later in the Horn of Africa

25 May 2023

From Lt.j.g. Victoria Piccoli

U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Valerie Jackson, class of 1994, and U.S. Navy Capt. Suzanne Krauss, class of 1995, serve together again in Djibouti, Africa, six thousand miles from where they first met at Boston University, Massachusetts.
U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Valerie Jackson, class of 1994, and U.S. Navy Capt. Suzanne Krauss, class of 1995, serve together again in Djibouti, Africa, six thousand miles from where they first met at Boston University, Massachusetts.

Both BU Navy Reserve Officers Training Corps classmates now hold senior military leadership positions and reconnected while deployed to the only permanent U.S. installation in Africa, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti.

Jackson, a native New Englander who received her Bachelor’s degree in history from BU, serves as deputy commanding general of Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa, whose mission is to conduct operations in the United States Africa Command region to promote security and stability, dissuade conflict, and protect U.S. interests.

When Jackson, first found out that she would work professionally with Krauss again she said, “I thought, ‘what are the chances?’ But, I also knew that Camp Lemonnier would be in good hands with Capt. Krauss. It is gratifying to see how the early foundation laid at BU served us both so well. It's an honor to serve with a BUNROTC alum!”

Camp Lemonnier provides air, port, and personnel support to 31 tenant commands, like CJTF-HOA, who operate forward throughout the region.

Krauss, a third-generation military officer who received her Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from BU, took command of Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, on April 18, 2023.

“BU was a place where I could learn and thrive as an individual and as part of a larger university community,” said Krauss. “The BUNROTC unit developed and trained us toward the high ideals of the naval service.”

For Krauss and Jackson, the early bonds built as midshipmen from long runs along the Charles River Esplanade in Boston to both commissioning on the USS Constitution remained strong over the years even as they reunited as senior military leaders in the Horn of Africa.

“Twenty-nine years goes by in a flash and you pick up right where you left off,” said Krauss. “The bonds you create through service are strong and lifelong.”
 

Google Translation Disclaimer

  • Google Translate, a third party service provided by Google, performs all translations directly and dynamically.
  • Commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Central, cnreurafcent.cnic.navy.mil has no control over the features, functions, or performance of the Google Translate service.
  • The automated translations should not be considered exact and should be used only as an approximation of the original English language content.
  • This service is meant solely for the assistance of limited English-speaking users of the website.
  • Commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Central, cnreurafcent.cnic.navy.mil does not warrant the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information translated.
  • Some items cannot be translated, including but not limited to image buttons, drop down menus, graphics, photos, or portable document formats (pdfs).
  • Commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Central, cnreurafcent.cnic.navy.mil does not directly endorse Google Translate or imply that it is the only language translation solution available to users.
  • All site visitors may choose to use similar tools for their translation needs. Any individuals or parties that use Commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Central, cnreurafcent.cnic.navy.mil content in translated form, whether by Google Translate or by any other translation services, do so at their own risk.
  • IE users: Please note that Google Translate may not render correctly when using Internet Explorer. Users are advised to use MS Edge, Safari, Chrome, or Firefox browser to take full advantage of the Google Translate feature.
  • The official text of content on this site is the English version found on this website. If any questions arise related to the accuracy of the information contained in translated text, refer to the English version on this website, it is the official version.

Commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Central   |   PSC 817, Box 108   |   FPO, AE 09622
Official U.S. Navy Website