thedrifter
12-07-06, 03:41 PM
December 07, 2006
Jones retires after 40 years in the Corps
By Beth Zimmerman
Staff writer
Gen. James Jones, the 32nd commandant, retired today after 40 years in the Corps. Until this week, Jones was the U.S. military’s top officer in Europe, holding two billets.
He handed the reins of U.S. European Command to Army Gen. John Craddock during a ceremony in Stuttgart, Germany, on Monday and relinquished the title of Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, during a similar ceremony in Casteau, Belgium, today.
Craddock, who previously served as head of U.S. Southern Command in Miami, now holds both billets.
Jones took command of EuCom in January 2003 following his tour as commandant from 1999 to 2003, an unusual move for an outgoing commandant. He brought with him Sgt. Maj. Alford McMichael, who was 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.
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. As Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, Jones was responsible for leading NATO’s military forces in Europe.
During Monday’s ceremony, Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England said Jones’ accomplishments and successes throughout his 40-year career will influence the future of NATO, EuCom and the Corps, according to a EuCom release.
“Jones is a magnificent leader and a warrior statesman … but most of all, he is a Marine’s Marine,” England said.
“Under his leadership, [European Command] has had extraordinary success in hard-core war fighting, building and strengthening partnerships from the Balkans to the countries of Africa to Iraq and Afghanistan, to the countries of the former Soviet Union,” said England, adding that Jones simultaneously transformed the command to a “more expeditionary posture.”
Ellie
Jones retires after 40 years in the Corps
By Beth Zimmerman
Staff writer
Gen. James Jones, the 32nd commandant, retired today after 40 years in the Corps. Until this week, Jones was the U.S. military’s top officer in Europe, holding two billets.
He handed the reins of U.S. European Command to Army Gen. John Craddock during a ceremony in Stuttgart, Germany, on Monday and relinquished the title of Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, during a similar ceremony in Casteau, Belgium, today.
Craddock, who previously served as head of U.S. Southern Command in Miami, now holds both billets.
Jones took command of EuCom in January 2003 following his tour as commandant from 1999 to 2003, an unusual move for an outgoing commandant. He brought with him Sgt. Maj. Alford McMichael, who was 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.
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. As Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, Jones was responsible for leading NATO’s military forces in Europe.
During Monday’s ceremony, Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England said Jones’ accomplishments and successes throughout his 40-year career will influence the future of NATO, EuCom and the Corps, according to a EuCom release.
“Jones is a magnificent leader and a warrior statesman … but most of all, he is a Marine’s Marine,” England said.
“Under his leadership, [European Command] has had extraordinary success in hard-core war fighting, building and strengthening partnerships from the Balkans to the countries of Africa to Iraq and Afghanistan, to the countries of the former Soviet Union,” said England, adding that Jones simultaneously transformed the command to a “more expeditionary posture.”
Ellie