Gunnery Sergeant Matthew Jones

ABOUT GUNNERY SERGEANT JONES

Gunnery Sergeant Matthew Jones was born in Jacksonville, North Carolina in 1990. He graduated from Overhills High School in 2009, where he received a partial academic scholarship and athletic Track & Field scholarship to attend Livingstone College. Eventually redirecting his education and career path, he decided to enlist in the United States Marine Corps in 2012. He graduated from Marine Corps Recruit Training Depot Parris Island, South Carolina as an honor graduate.

Gunnery Sergeant Jones conducted Marine Combat Training at Camp Geiger. Following graduation, he checked into Twenty-Nine Palms, California for Marine Corps Communication Electronics School where he would obtain the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) 0621, Field Radio Operator. He reported to 4th Marine Regiment, Okinawa, Japan. He was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Corporal within six months. As a Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO), he made his mark on the Platoon and was assigned as the Training NCO and Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor for the Platoon.

After graduating from the Radio Supervisors Course, Gunnery Sergeant Jones was selected to serve as the Commanding Officer’s Radio Operator during multiple training exercises across the Pacific Theater. While stationed in Okinawa, he was attached to the 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, where he participated in advanced tactical small team training. In 2015 he reported to Combat Logistics Battalion 5 (CLB-5) at MCB Camp Pendleton, California. During his time with CLB-5, now Sergeant Jones, deployed to Kuwait in support of SPMAGTF 16.2, serving as one of the Radio Supervisors for the Logistics Command Element.

Following his successful deployment, Sergeant Jones’ volunteered to serve as a Drill Instructor, and he received orders to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, graduating with honors from Drill Instructor School, Class 2-18, and was assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 1st Recruit Training Regiment. While serving with Company B, he completed five demanding training cycles, transforming over four hundred recruits into United States Marines. Upon completion of his tour, Staff Sergeant Jones was awarded the Drill Instructor Ribbon in recognition of his exemplary service.

During his transition to 1st Marine Logistics Group (1st MLG), Gunnery Sergeant Jones completed the Transmissions Chief Course and reported to 1st MLG G-6 in July 2021 as Transmission Chief, leading communications and ensuring mission-critical connectivity. He also held billets as Cyber Security Analyst, Inspector for I MEF units, and Network Security SNCO, enhancing cybersecurity compliance and operational readiness. He was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant in October 2023.

Following his tour at 1st MLG, he served as Transmissions Chief and Instructor at Communication Training Center 1, supervising and training I MEF Marines to meet evolving communications standards and equipment capabilities.

Gunnery Sergeant Jones currently serves as the Assistant Marine Officer Instructor (AMOI) at the Morehouse-Georgia Tech Consortium. His decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (Gold Star in lieu of second award) and the Drill Instructor Ribbon. He enjoys golf, fitness, and time with his wife and children.