Ranger Jackson

Ranger Jackson is a New California Republic Ranger and the commanding officer of Mojave Outpost in 2281.

Background
A principled patriot with an excellent grasp of strategy, Jackson was posted to the Mojave Outpost to ensure that caravans could safely arrive in the Mojave and head on up to New Vegas. The recent complications on the I-15 have frustrated him, as he cannot take any action without breaking his standing orders, but at the same time, the standing orders prevent him from carrying out his standing orders. Caught in a catch-22, Jackson has taken to venting to travelers to make the situation bearable.

The orders in question demand that he keeps a standing force at the NCR perimeter at all times, with a force of fresh recruits for a garrison. To make things worse, in order to deal with the situation up north, he'd have to send soldiers out and that would reduce his standing force below acceptable levels. As a result, the outpost is backing up with caravans unable to turn around or press forward. Any reinforcement requests are denied, as the NCR Army command focuses on maintaining numbers at Camp McCarran and frontline outposts like Camp Forlorn Hope. Soldiers who don't fall in that category are usually on leave, heading to New Vegas to lose their pay.

Although he cannot disobey his orders, he is more than willing to work around them to fulfill his duties. While he cannot outright contract mercenaries, he can lose supplies to people willing to take on dangerous assignments to help fix his problems, such as clearing the path through Ivanpah valley so that the caravans can start moving. His ability to work around bureaucracy is an undeniable asset, as Jackson is one of the few people capable of navigating the byzantine legal systems of the republic safely and ensuring that a case reaches the courts and the Congress so that justice can be made. He doesn't shy away from going against caravan families and other political bigwigs, motivated by his belief in due process and the law. His strict approach to law and its principles goes double for frontier justice; he does not hesitate to put vigilantes in chains and ensure they're tried for murder.

His single-minded belief in justice and patriotism helps keep him on the straight and narrow. Especially when greed and corruption lead to unnecessary loss of life among honest caravaneers, weakening the republic's already fragile hold on the Mojave and threatening the very foundations of the grand democratic project, all in the face of the totalitarian Caesar's Legion.

Quests

 * Can You Find it in Your Heart?: The Courier is asked to clear out the critters by the road near Ivanpah Dry Lake.
 * Heartache by the Number: The Courier can report the conspiracy between the Crimson Caravan and the Van Graffs to Jackson instead of killing them.

Appearances
Ranger Jackson appears only in Fallout: New Vegas.