Lieutenant Colonel Joseph W. Jones
Commanding Officer
Second Recruit Training Battalion

The Commanding Officer of the Second Recruit Training Battalion is Lieutenant Colonel Jones.

Lieutenant Colonel Jones grew up in Mobile, Alabama, where he attended W.P. Davidson High School. During his senior year he enlisted as a Private in the U.S. Army Reserves serving as a Field Combat Medic. In 1993, during his studies at Georgia State University, Specialist Jones was selected for Officer Candidates School, Platoon Leaders Class, Quantico, Virginia. On 25 June 1994 he was commissioned a Marine Officer.

In 1995, while attending the Basic Officers School, Quantico, 2nd Lieutenant Jones was selected as Infantry Officer. His first tour was with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He deployed with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, participating in actions supporting Operation Decisive Endeavor. During this tour he held the billets of Rifle Platoon Commander, Executive Officer, and Company Commander of Golf Company. 1st Lieutenant Jones’ final assignment was as the Assistant Operations Officer for the 8th Marine Regiment.

In the summer of 1998, Captain Jones transferred to the Recruit Training Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California. During this tour with 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, he held the billets of Series Commander and Executive Officer, Kilo Company and was subsequently selected as Lima Company Commander.

From 2001 to 2002, Captain Jones attended the USMC Amphibious Warfare School. Upon graduation Captain Jones instructed offensive/defensive tactics at the Officer Candidates School before being assigned to Marine Barracks 8th & I in Washington, D.C. In this tour Captain Jones held the billet of Deputy Director, Distance Learning and Technology, Marine Corps Institute (MCI) Company, marched as a Flanking Officer on the Evening Parade Staff, and concluded this post as Company Commander, Marine Security Company, United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland.

In 2004 newly promoted Major Jones returned to the 2nd Marine Division as an Assistant Operations Officer and deployed to Ramadi, Iraq. In support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Major Jones was the Ground Operations Watch until his assignment to 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, as the Executive Officer during combat operations in Fallujah, Iraq. Upon redeployment Major Jones was reassigned as the regiment’s Military Transition Team Leader. From 2006 to 2007 he served as Advisor to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 7th Iraqi Infantry Division and led his team during combat actions in Ramadi, Iraq, supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. 

From 2007 to 2008 Major Jones attended the Marine Corps Command and Staff College. Upon graduation he was selected for joint assignment with the Defense Intelligence Agency, Pentagon, as an Executive Liaison Agent for the Secretary of Defense and Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff.  In 2009 Major Jones graduated the Joint and Combined Warfighting School, Joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Virginia. 

Lieutenant Colonel Jones was promoted to his current rank on 1 September 2010, successfully completed his joint tour in May 2011 and assumed command of 2nd Recruit Training Battalion on 8 July 2011.  His personal decorations include the Bronze Star with combat distinguishing device, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Commendation Medal with gold star and the Navy Achievement Medal.