thedrifter
11-22-06, 06:01 PM
November 22, 2006
Former commandant to retire after 40 years
By Beth Zimmerman
Staff writer
http://www.marinetimes.com/content/editorial/editart/112206jjones.JPG
Gen. James Jones — U.S. Marine Corps
Gen. James Jones, the U.S. military’s top officer in Europe, will retire next month after 40 years in the Corps, U.S. European Command announced Wednesday.
Jones is slated to pass command of EuCom to Army Gen. John Craddock during a change of command ceremony Dec. 4, according to a EuCom release. Craddock previously served as head of U.S. Southern Command in Miami.
Jones, who served as the 32nd commandant, took command of EuCom in January 2003 following his tour as commandant from 1999 to 2003, an unusual move for an outgoing commandant.
The EuCom commander is responsible for 92 nations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, as well as Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine and special operations forces in Europe. Jones served jointly as the EuCom commander and Supreme Allied Commander, Europe — a billet responsible for leading NATO’s military forces in Europe.
When Jones took command in Europe, he brought with him Sgt. Maj. Alford McMichael, who served as sergeant major of the Marine Corps during Jones’ tour as commandant. McMichael served as the first senior enlisted adviser for NATO and retired after 36 years of service in July.
Ellie
Former commandant to retire after 40 years
By Beth Zimmerman
Staff writer
http://www.marinetimes.com/content/editorial/editart/112206jjones.JPG
Gen. James Jones — U.S. Marine Corps
Gen. James Jones, the U.S. military’s top officer in Europe, will retire next month after 40 years in the Corps, U.S. European Command announced Wednesday.
Jones is slated to pass command of EuCom to Army Gen. John Craddock during a change of command ceremony Dec. 4, according to a EuCom release. Craddock previously served as head of U.S. Southern Command in Miami.
Jones, who served as the 32nd commandant, took command of EuCom in January 2003 following his tour as commandant from 1999 to 2003, an unusual move for an outgoing commandant.
The EuCom commander is responsible for 92 nations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, as well as Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine and special operations forces in Europe. Jones served jointly as the EuCom commander and Supreme Allied Commander, Europe — a billet responsible for leading NATO’s military forces in Europe.
When Jones took command in Europe, he brought with him Sgt. Maj. Alford McMichael, who served as sergeant major of the Marine Corps during Jones’ tour as commandant. McMichael served as the first senior enlisted adviser for NATO and retired after 36 years of service in July.
Ellie