MSG James Jones has brought a bit of Southern charm to Xavier since the fall of 1986. Born in Wadley, Georgia, he attended Savannah State College before moving North to take a job as a machinist in a Brooklyn factory. Jim is the middle child of five, and he was the first in his family to serve the armed forces. He and his wife, Estella, married in December of 1961 while living in New York, but they went on to live in Fort Bragg, NC and later in Germany. MSG Jones served the U.S. Army as part of the only Airborne Mechanized Infantry Unit in the world, and his unit developed ways to deploy troops and equipment to remote locations. As a Master Sergeant, Jones taught at the same Army Ranger school that he had attended at a time, and in June of 1986, he retired form the army after twenty-four years of service. Although he originally intended to become a corrections officer after retirement, on the occasion of a job fair, an acquaintance spoke about an opening at Xavier, a school he had come to know while occasionally serving as a judge at some of the drill meets Xavier’s Regiment participated in at the old 14th Street Armory. During the Alumni Farewell to Xavier Faculty Legends reception in June, the MSG Jones recalled his initial interview with Fr. Sullivan, then Xavier’s headmaster. Following their conversation, a miscommunication between the MSG and Fr. Sullivan resulted in the MSG apparently not showing up for work until two weeks after he was set to start! When Jim did start teaching military science at Xavier in the fall of 1986, the ranks stood at a little over 200 cadets, and the Regiment had lost its Gold Star status. Within a year, the Regiment regained the Gold Star, bringing the program back to the level of some of the best JROTC programs in the country. “The biggest challenge was to urge cadets to accept responsibility,” MSG Jones said, and his impeccable attention to detail set a high standard that is noticed by cadets, alumni, and instructors alike. Through his years here, he required that Xavier’s cadets take the program seriously, pushing leadership qualities to the forefront. The JROTC has grown to highest number of cadets it has had since the program went optional in the fall of 1971. Today, 354 students make up the Xavier Regiment, and there are three full-time instructors. During the past two years, approximately 55-60% of the freshman class have opted to stay in the program.
MSG Jones’ dedication was witnessed daily by members of the X-Squad drill team. Each morning, he would rise at 4 a.m. to begin a 90minute bus commute from his home in southern New Jersey so that he would be on time to supervise morning drill with the team members. Working with students and their families not only in the capacity of a teacher, but also as a mentor, has brought meaning to MSG Jones’ career at Xavier. For years, alumni visiting the school have made the military science office a regular stop on their tour, updating the MSG on their lives and, many times, their military career.“I have a lot of people that make me happy now,” he said, emphasizing the pride he feels when graduates attribute their current success in part to the experience they had in Xavier’s JROTC program. “MSG Jones’ authoritative Georgia drawl captivated the men of the Regiment for twentyone years,” writes Lt. Col Roy Campbell, Senior Army Instructor of Xavier’s Regiment.“His commanding presence inspired Xavier cadets to excellence in leadership and citizenship skills. His imposing classroom bearing, his grace, and his wit were legendary attributes for generations of Xavier cadets. In short, MSG Jones was one of the most loved and respected military instructors in the annals of Xavier Regimental history.” MSG Jones said he wishes to travel following his retirement, in the U.S. and beyond. He also added that he plans to return to Xavier as often as possible, especially for the annual Beefsteak Dinner, each January.
SEPTEMBER 2007
— ALUMNEWS
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