Sergeant Major Shawn Jones
Command Sgt. Maj. Shawn “JOD” Jones was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. He completed basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky and the Utilities Equipment Repair (52C) course at Fort Belvoir, VA in October 1986. His first assignment was to the 123rd Signal Battalion, Hindenburg, GE. He reclassified to Aviation Operations (93P) in 1995.
Command Sgt. Maj. Jones’ assignments include the 129th Avn Regt and 17 years in TF 160 Special Operations Aviation Regt (SOAR) in a range of positions from Special Skills NCO to First Sergeant, HHC 1/160th SOAR (A), and locations from Savannah, Ga to Souda Bay, Greece. Later, he served as the Chief Instructor for the Pathfinder Course at Fort Campbell, KY. In 2005 he graduated the United States Army Sergeant Majors Academy (Class 56) and assumed responsibility of the 1-212th Aviation Regiment’s Battalion Command Sergeant Major in 2006. In 2007 he assumed responsibility as Command Sgt. Maj. of the 1-11th Aviation Regiment. In 2009, he assumed responsibility as the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) Senior Enlisted Command Sgt. Maj. (A9) for the Aviation Task Force, Fort Polk, LA.
Command Sgt. Maj. Jones’ schools and qualifications include the Flight Operations Course, TF 160th Green Platoon, Basic and Advanced Survival Escape, Resistance and Evasion, FRIES/SPIES/STABO Master, Rappel Master, Airborne School, Jumpmaster School, Air Assault School, Pathfinder, Combat Lifesaver, Navy Dunker, Joint Planning/Navy Liaison Course, Bruce Siddle (PPCT), Novice and Advanced Knife Fighting Tactics, Rob Leatham Tactical Shooting, JRTC Observer Controller, and CSM Army Force Management Course.
Command Sgt. Maj. Jones civilian education and associations include a Masters in Business Administration from Touro University; Bachelors in Criminal Justice and Associates in Liberal Arts, both from Saint Leo University. He is a certified Police Self Defense Instructor and studying to become a private investigator. He’s currently the Active Duty governor and quartermaster for the National Pathfinder Association.
His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star 1 Oak Leave Cluster (OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (2 OLC), Joint Service Commendation Medal(2OLC), Army Commendation Medal (2 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (7 OLC), Good Conduct Medal, (7th award), National Defense Service Award, with Bronze Service Star (BSS), Southwest Asia Service Medal 2 BSS, Afghanistan Campaign Medal 3 BSS, Iraqi Campaign Medal 3 BSS, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal (2 BS), NCO Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 4), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (Numeral 2), the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Army Meritorious Unit Award, Superior Unit Award, Senior Aviation Badge, Airborne Badge, Air Assault Badge, and Pathfinder Badge. Foreign decorations: German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge and Australian, Israeli, Jordanian, Thailand, British and Canadian jump wings. He is an Order of Saint Michael (Bronze) recipient.