Realization of Jacobi fields by geodesic variations

Given a Jacobi field with initial values $J(0)=a$ and $D_{t}J(0)=b$, vary the initial point along a curve with tangent $a$ and the initial velocity with covariant derivative $b$. The resulting geodesic variation has the same Jacobi initial values and therefore the same field by uniqueness of the linear equation. Smooth dependence on initial conditions gives a common parameter interval around any fixed compact geodesic segment, even on an incomplete manifold.