CSM James D. Jones assumed the duties of the State Command Sergeant Major, West Virginia Army National Guard on Nov. 1, 2018.
In his current position, CSM Jones represents and advises The Assistant Adjutant General Army on matters pertaining to West Virginia Army National Guard policies and actions that affect the nearly 4,000 enlisted Soldiers of the West Virginia Army National Guard.
CSM Jones joined the Army in 1996, attending initial entry training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Upon graduation CSM Jones was assigned to 117th Field Artillery in Schweinfurt, Germany. Upon arriving at his unit, he was deployed to Bosnia in support of Operation Joint Endeavor/Operation Joint Guard. CSM Jones was then assigned the 218th Field Artillery, Fort Lewis, Washington where he completed his remaining time in the regular Army. CSM Jones joined the West Virginia Army National Guard in 2000 and was assigned to the 1/201 st Field Artillery. While assigned to the 1/201st CSM Jones deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II. Upon returning from deployment CSM Jones was assigned to the 77th Brigade Troop Command as an Operations NCO where he remained until being selected as the First Sergeant of the 154th Military Police Company. After completion of his assignment as First Sergeant of the 154th, CSM Jones was selected to serve as the First Sergeant for the 157th Military Police Company. In 2017, CSM Jones was selected as the Command Sergeant Major for the West Virginia Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion. Through his career, CSM Jones has served as Team Leader, Squad Leader, Battalion Fire Support Sergeant, Operations NCO, First Sergeant and Command Sergeant Major.
CSM Jones's military and civilian education includes the Primary, Basic and Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Courses, the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy, the Combatives Course,Battle Staff NCO Course, Air Assault Course, Anti-Terrorism Officer Course, OPSEC Officer Course, Physical Security Inspector Course, Law Enforcement Senior Leaders Course, AFATDS Subject Matter Expert Course and the HAZMAT Material Technician Course. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Leadership from Mountain State University.
CSM Jones's military awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (4th Award}, the Army Commendation Medal (6th Award), the Army Achievement Medal (4th Award), the Army Good Conduct Medal (6th Award), the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Expeditionary Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal (2 Stars), the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal (Silver Hourglass and Mobilization Device), the NCO Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 5), the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Army Superior Unit Award (2nd Award), the WV Commendation Medal (2nd Award), the WV Achievement Ribbon, the WV Emergency Service Ribbon (8th Award), the WV State Service Ribbon (8th Award), the WV Army National Guard Service Ribbon, and the WV Minute Man Ribbon. CSM Jones has also been awarded the Combat Action Badge and the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge in Silver.