A St. Louis native and O’Fallon Technical School graduate, Kenneth Jones enlisted in the U. S Navy and served honorably for 30 years. He retired in 2012 as the 5th Command Master Chief of Navy Recruiting District St Louis. As Command Master Chief, he was responsible for 200 enlisted and civilian personnel covering 200,000 square miles of recruiting territory encompassing Missouri, Kansas, Central and Southern Illinois and a portion of Kentucky.
While in the Navy, Jones was a Propulsion Engineer onboard numerous Navy ships. His Naval shore duty commands included Bootcamp Drill Instructor and Naval Engineering Classroom Instructor. While serving in the Navy, he earned the distinction and honor and qualification as a Master Training Specialist. Jones attended Phoenix and Columbia Universities, and he was selected to attend the Navy top leadership School, The Senior Enlisted Academy.
After retirement, Jones transitioned into the classroom. For seven years, he served as the department head of the largest NJROTC units in the Midwest which have more than 500 NJROTC Cadets. While in the NJROTC Classroom he developed a strong passion for helping young adults succeed in the workforce. He is personally responsible for the employment of 250 students and family members.
In the spring of 2021, he was selected to become a JAG Specialist for Riverview Gardens High School. He quickly knew JAG was his new home and a way of life for him and his family. Jones has continued to assist the JAG program at Riverview Gardens and he has earned a reputation for helping young adults achieve their dreams and goals.
In his new role, Jones will support the JAG-Missouri programs in the Greater St. Louis Area.
Jones is a small business owner and the proud father of a beautiful daughter. He served as the military representative on the Dean’s Executive Committee at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
Testimonials
Before I joined JAG, I was lost. JAG provided assistance in pinpointing a career and making steps in order to pursue it. My JAG Specialist motivated me to make connections and to continue my education in the emergency response industry. JAG has changed my life!
I felt hopeless because no matter what I did, I thought the future I wanted was too far out of reach. I wasn’t smart enough or rich enough to live the life I wanted. Because of this, at the age of 15, I exploded. Everything parents pray their child isn’t doing, I was, or I was trying to. In the midst of this self destruction, the greatest opportunity came up and shook my hand. I went from dropping out to picking up my cap and gown. JAG didn’t save my life, it taught me how to save my own.
JAG has been a life changer.
JAG pushes us out of our comfort zone. It has truly helped me find my voice. I have learned how to voice my opinions the right way – when to speak and when to listen. Without JAG I have no doubt I would still be living my old life. I wish I could have found my voice sooner, but the important thing now is: I have found it, and I will never let it go.
