COLUMBIA, SC (SCDVA)- Alton Jenkins has been selected by SCDVA's Internal Selection Committee as the newest Veteran of the Quarter (July - September 2023).

Alton Jenkins served in the US Army as a Generator Lead Technician. He deployed twice to Afghanistan, the first time he was deployed he served with DSTB 82nd Airborne. During one of his deployments his Platoon rebuilt and recovered many MRAPS, Generators, Buffaloes, MATV that were hit by IED’s or direct/indirect fire. Their shop was the first shop to test drive and license on MATV’s in Afghanistan.  In stride, Jenkins is always grateful, stating the following about his comrades: “We're like family! We worked hard but played even harder. I can’t thank my chief enough for accepting me into his platoon.” 

Jenkins currently serves as the Director of Veterans Affairs for Jasper County. He assists Veterans and their families in accessing military and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits. He answers questions and advises Veterans on federal and state benefit programs as well as helping their dependents file claims, representing them in VA hearings, directing them to appropriate resources, and providing educational materials. Jenkins is known to take a personal journey with each Veteran, each family member, and each person he works with being proactive instead of reactive in every aspect of his job.

He is also in tune with the community he grew up in, moving back to Jasper County to give back.  He started his own nonprofit to mentor students called MotivateYourGrowth Inc to provide quality performance training to inner city student-athletes, along with gathering resources and educational support to further develop collegiate opportunities. Jenkins works with the County Police Agency to assist with the local PIT Count for homelessness, serves as a Palmetto Pathfinder with SCDVA, assists with Jasper County Youth Football, RLVET, and collaborates with other CVAOs to head up a Veterans Day Parade and a Rural Lowcountry Veterans Engagement Team to solve issues such as homelessness, transportation, and employment in the rural counties.