Atlantic Council

Biography

General James Jones

General James L. Jones USMC (ret.) is chairman of the Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security at the Atlantic Council. He was the first National Security Advisor to President Barack Obama. 

Jones was elected as Chairman of the Atlantic Council Board of Directors on June 1, 2007 and served until stepping down to take his post in the administration on January 20, 2009.

On February 1, 2007, General Jones completed 40 years of active duty service in the Marine Corps. After graduating from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, he was commissioned in 1967 and distinguished himself in a variety of assignments. Most notably, he served as an operational commander at every level including a combat tour as platoon and company commander in Vietnam; Company Command in Okinawa, Japan; battalion command in Camp Pendleton, California; and Commanding Officer of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, where he served as a Colonel and led humanitarian operations in Northern Iraq and Turkey on Operation Provide Comfort. After rising to the rank of General Officer in April 1992, his career path continued its operational focus with service as the Chief of Staff, Joint Task Force Provide Promise for operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Macedonia followed by a tour as Commanding General of Second Marine Division, Marine Forces Atlantic.

Between command tours, he gained unique insight and perspective serving in a number of distinctive billets throughout the National Capital Region including Marine Corps Liaison Officer to the United States Senate, Senior Aide and Military Secretary to the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Director of the Expeditionary Warfare Division for the Chief of Naval Operations, and Deputy Chief of Staff for Marine Corps’ Plans, Policies and Operations. After serving as the Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense from 1997 to 1999, his final two assignments called on him to return to command, at the strategic level, when he served successively as 32nd Commandant of the Marine Corps, followed by a tour of duty as Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, and Commander, U.S. European Command.

He is a decorated combat veteran who has worked closely with government, business, and civic leaders in an effort to protect and advance U.S. and allied interests around the world. During his final assignment, he helped the North Atlantic Treaty Organization organize discussions on energy issues and the defense of critical infrastructures, and he worked to advocate energy security as a core part of NATO’s future missions. General Jones was awarded a bachelor of science degree (1966) and an honorary doctorate of letters (2002) from Georgetown University. He is a 1985 graduate of the National War College in Washington, DC.

His personal decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal (four awards), the Silver Star Medal, the Legion of Merit (five awards), the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V,” and the Combat Action Ribbon. Following his assignment to NATO, he was awarded several international decorations from member nations of the Alliance and the NATO Meritorious Service Medal. General Jones and his wife, Diane, reside in McLean, Virginia, and have four children and seven grandchildren.