Rear Admiral Jones assumed the duties of Military Advisor to the Secretary of Homeland Security in June 2017. His primary responsibility is to provide counsel to the Secretary regarding policies, plans, and other affairs between the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense.
A native of Half Moon Bay, California, Rear Admiral Jones is a 1987 graduate of the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marine Engineering from the Coast Guard Academy, a Master of Science in Applied Mathematics and Fluid Dynamics from Brown University, and a Master of Business Administration from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan Fellows Program in Innovation and Global Leadership. He is also a graduate of the Naval War College Command and Staff Nonresident Seminar Program and a 2001-2002 Fellow of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Seminar XXI on Foreign Politics, International Relations, and the National Interest.
Rear Admiral Jones’ assignments ashore include: Mathematics and Leadership Instructor at the Coast Guard Academy; Workforce and Operations Reviewer, Division of Program Review, Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C.; Deputy Chief, Office of Budget and Programs, and Chief, Division of Program Review, Coast Guard Headquarters; and Deputy Chief, Office of Congressional and Government Affairs, at Coast Guard Headquarters. Rear Admiral Jones served as the Assistant Superintendent of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy from 2012 to 2014. From 2014 to 2017, he served as the Executive Assistant to the U.S. Coast Guard Deputy Commandant for Operations at Coast Guard Headquarters.
His afloat assignments include: First Lieutenant aboard USCGC Venturous (WMEC 625) in Long Beach, Calif.; Commanding Officer and Plankowner of USCGC Tybee (WPB-1330) in San Diego, California; Navigator and Executive Officer of USCGC Eagle (WIX 327) in New London, Connecticut; Executive Officer of USCGC Forward (WMEC 911) in Portsmouth, Virginia; Commanding Officer of USCGC Harriet Lane (WMEC 903), in Portsmouth, Virginia; and Commanding Officer of the Coast Guard’s three-masted sail training barque USCGC Eagle (WIX 327) from 2009 until 2012. Rear Admiral Jones holds an unlimited tonnage Master Mariner license for oceangoing vessels, sail and power.
Rear Admiral Jones’ personal awards include three Legions of Merit, four Meritorious Service Medals, four Coast Guard Commendation Medals, the Coast Guard Achievement Medal, the Commandant’s Letter of Commendation Ribbon, and various service and unit awards.