Colonel Robert W. Jones
Commanding Officer
Recruit Training Regiment


The commander of the Recruit Training Regiment is Colonel Robert W. Jones.

Colonel Jones graduated from Virginia Military Institute in 1989 with a bachelor of arts degree in economics.  He was commissioned a second lieutenant and attended The Basic School and the Infantry Officers Course. 

In April 1990, he was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, as a rifle platoon commander.  He deployed with Battalion Landing Team 2/8, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and participated in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Provide Comfort. He was then assigned as the Heavy Machinegun Platoon commander and deployed with the battalion to Okinawa, Japan, and Korea. 

In January 1993, he transferred to The Basic School and served as a tactics instructor and then as a staff platoon commander for two lieutenant training companies.  In 1997, he attended the Amphibious Warfare School, and upon graduation assumed command of Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. His battalion was assigned as the Battalion Landing Team for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit and deployed to the Persian Gulf and Pacific Command area of responsibility.  Following this deployment, he was assigned as the assistant operations officer, and subsequently, the operations officer for 1st Marine Regiment.  During this tour he completed the nonresident Command and Staff College curriculum.

In June 2000, he transferred to the staff of the Commander, Sixth Fleet, Gaeta, Italy, as the expeditionary operations and exercise officer.  In 2002, he was selected to attend the School of Advanced Warfighting.  Upon graduation, he transferred to Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Staff Training Program serving as the ground combat element section head and the head of the MAGTF branch. 

He augmented the 1st Marine Division staff during Operation Iraqi Freedom II at Camp Blue Diamond, Ramadi, Iraq, from February to June 2004.  In June 2005, Colonel Jones was assigned to 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, for service as the regimental operations officer.  He deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom 05-07 in January 2006 and served as the operations officer for Regimental Combat Team 7 at Camp Ripper, Al Asad, Iraq, until June 2006. 

Colonel Jones took command of 3rd Recruit Training Battalion in July 2006, and relinquished command in June 2008.  He was subsequently assigned as a student at the National War College and graduated with a master’s degree in national security strategy. 

In June 2009, Colonel Jones assumed duties as the assistant for land domains in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Homeland Defense and Americas’ Security Affairs.

Colonel Jones’ personal awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with gold star in lieu of second award and Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star in lieu of second award.