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ALUM Spotlight
Colonel Jefrey M. Arnold '86

Col. Jef Arnold '86, also former Aubie #7, is the H&HS Commanding Officer of Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina. He has over 2,000 hours in tactical aircraft and numerous service achievement medals. In 1990 he deployed to Southwest Asia for Desert Shield and Desert Storm and recently deployed to Kuwait for Operation Southern Watch and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Arnold was born in Dallas, Texas but calls Alabama home. He graduated from Auburn in 1986 with a B.A. in Mass Communications, and was commissioned through the NROTC program. His senior year at Auburn marked his role as Aubie Mascot #7, an experience that he says was the best ever.

Q. What was it like to be Aubie?

A. It was, and still remains, the best experience ever. In the suit you were a celebrity; out of the suit just another student, which I believe all Aubies enjoy. It was tremendous fun bringing that loveable character alive. We were ambassadors and instigators at the same time. As the years go by it is fun to try and describe what it was like being Aubie and I often describe it like this. It is like playing charades in a costume, you know a pantomiming Tiger. Add to that big floppy feet and no peripheral vision and you are quite a hoot. Now imagine telling that story to someone in a combat zone; it will definitely liven up the moment.

Q. What is your most memorable experience as Aubie?

A. It happened at the Georgia Tech game 1985. There were about 40 or 50 children all around me and each one wanting an autograph or simply wanting to pull on my tail. There was one little girl I was drawn to in the crowd. As I made expressions, you know ones that a pantomiming tiger makes, she starts signing to me. Well, I knew a little sign language and it is just like when you meet someone from a foreign country and they start speaking very quickly to you in their native language ... and hers was talking very fast with her hands. I did my best but was no match and had to rely on obvious furry tiger gestures. It took a while, but finally she understood that I was not speaking audibly and I was also not very good at signing. It made her day, she was very sweet. What she and nobody else knew was that it touched my heart so much that I had tears streaming down my face inside the suit that day.

Q. What is the most memorable experience in your military career?

A. Without a doubt what I am doing right now ... being a Commanding Officer. In my career I have deployed five different times and fought in two combat zones. I have flown over 2000 hours in fighters. However, the most memorable experience for any Marine leader is "leading Marines". This is that culminating point as a Lieutenant Colonel and it is a distinct honor to get selected to Command. I am currently in charge of 800 Marines and Sailors here at Beaufort SC. Everyday is a challenge, everyday has a new twist, everyday has a tough decision, and everyday impacts the lives of a young Marine or Sailor. I am thrilled to have this opportunity and I am humbled to have this responsibility.

Q. How did AU prepare you for your career?

A. How do I thank Auburn enough? After 18 years of the Marine Corps life I can tell you no matter where you go, Auburn Marines stand out. At Auburn we were taught discipline, mental toughness, compassion, physical fitness, camaraderie, loyalty, and I could go on and on. These are the exact traits of Marine Officers and I learned it first here at Auburn in the NROTC department. Auburn Marines always had a reputation for doing well at Officer Candidate School and then at The Basic School. Starting then and throughout my career your future is met with competion ... I can vouch for all of my Auburn friends, the Marine Corps' motto is Semper Fidelis - Always Faithful. Before we had that motto we had the Auburn Creed. Over time you build a Marine Corps reputation, and I am proud to say Auburn prepared us well for that endeavor.

Col. Jef Arnold '86 is a Life Member of the Auburn Alumni Association.