When did Darius Jackson join the army? Keke Palmer’s ex speaks out about enlisting at 30

Darius Jackson, Keke Palmer's ex-boyfriend and the father of her son, surprised his followers with an Instagram post on November 27, 2024 , when he posted a new look in his uniform from Army basic training at Fort Jackson. Months after the birth of their son, Leodis “Leo” Andrellton Jackson, in February 2023, the former couple found themselves locked in a public and legal conflict over the custody of their child.

Actress Keke Palmer, known for her roles in Nope and One of Them Days, accused Darius Jackson of domestic abuse, prompting him to file a countersuit in which he labeled Palmer the “primary aggressor.” Their legal fight captured public attention , which was later resolved after dropping restraining orders against each other.

Despite the legal battles and split, the exes made amends for their son, choosing to co-parent their now-2-year-old son. On April 3, 2025, Jackson followed up with an updated Instagram post saying that he found "redemption” in the army. His post explained that joining the army at 30 felt random but was a path much needed. Jackson said,

"Joining the Army at my big age of 30 was random but much needed. The more I pray, the more God has given me the clarity that this has been the best decision I have made for myself."

He further added,

"Now, don’t get me wrong, I HATE being away from Leodis & I HATE TRADOC! However, being older has allowed me to have so much patience & wisdom to get me through some of these rough times."

Jackson's caption hinted at his personal struggles and growth, that his story is far from complete but the foundation is set. He shared his gratitude for God and ended the caption with a message of hope for his followers

"Last few years speaks for itself which is why I show so much gratitude to God for giving me this redemption. Story is FAR from complete but the foundation is set. To anyone at my age, older or younger.. regardless of what life brings you, you still have a chance to pave your own lane."

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How Keke Palmer reacted to Jackson’s military enrollment

During a recent People Magazine interview tied to the release of Keke Palmer's memoir Master of Me: The Secret to Controlling Your Narrative, she expressed that she was “proud” of Jackson’s decision to join the military.

“I feel very at ease now knowing things are under control,” she shared during the interview.

Keke Palmer also opened up about her relationship with Darius Jackson in a Tuesday, Jan. 14 cover story on The Cut. She shared that there was a difficulty to face from a branding perspective because of the media coverage. Before the court battle, Keke Palmer's public personality had been sunny, affable, and unbothered. She was worried her split from Jackson would change that. Palmer stated,

“I hated it. It was my personal junk. It didn’t deserve a place in the center of something that I worked very hard to make encouraging and empowering.”

Palmer added,

“When it was happening, it was horrible because I could not get to the message of the story, in real time. Now, I’m able to articulate it, and I’m able to say what the story will be.”

In November 2024, Keke Palmer released her memoir, in which she reflects on her experience, saying that it wasn't that simple, as Palmer couldn't just say that he was terrible the entire time or that she was. She shared that her breakup with Jackson was

"the hardest thing I ever had to go through."

According to Palmer, Jackson and she have found common ground and have decided to co-parent their son peacefully.