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Col Kenneth Jones, USMC

Science and Technology Division Director, Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory

Col Kenny Jones graduated from Texas A&M University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Political Science. He was commissioned via the NROTC program as a 2nd Lieutenant in May 1999. Upon completing The Basic School in January 2000, he proceeded to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, for the Field Artillery Basic Officer Course, graduating in July 2000. He was then assigned to Kilo Battery, 3rd Battalion, 10th Marines, where he served as a Forward Observer.
In January 2001, he was attached to Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines as the Artillery Liaison Officer. In September 2001, the battalion deployed with the 26th MEU to the Mediterranean and later joined Task Force 52 during the initial stages of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
Upon returning from this deployment in May 2002, he was assigned to India Battery, 3rd Battalion, 10th Marines as the Executive Officer. In March 2003, his battery was attached to 1st Battalion, 11th Marines in Kuwait for the invasion of Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He returned to CONUS in June 2003.
In July 2003, he was assigned as the Operations Officer in the Casualty Section at Manpower & Reserve Affairs, Headquarters Marine Corps. In August 2006, he was selected to attend the Expeditionary Warfare School, where he graduated with distinction in June 2007.
In July 2007, he was assigned as the Commanding Officer, Headquarters Battery, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan. In May 2008, he took command of C Battery, 1st Battalion, 11th Marines at Camp Pendleton, California. Then, in May 2009, he joined the 26th Brigade Military Training Team as the Fire and Effects Coordinator. In October 2009, he deployed to the Nineveh Province of Iraq, where the team mentored, trained, and operated with the 26th Brigade, 2nd Division of the Iraqi Army. He returned to 1st Battalion, 11th Marines in April 2010.
In May 2010, he was sent to Officer Candidate School as a summer augment to serve as the Commanding Officer of Kilo Company, a Platoon Leaders Course-Junior company. Then, in October 2010, he reported to the Office of Legislative Affairs, Headquarters Marine Corps, where he began the orientation program for the Calendar Year 2011 Congressional Fellows. In January 2011, he joined the personal staff of Congressman Duncan Hunter, 52nd District, California, in the House of Representatives. In January 2012, he proceeded to Combat Development & Integration, where he served as Legislative Liaison on the Deputy Commandant's Staff.
In January 2014, he was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines as the Executive Officer. He then moved up to the 12th Marine Regiment in January 2016, serving as the Assistant Operations Officer. In May 2016, he was assigned to Plans, Policies, and Operations at Headquarters Marine Corps, where he served as the Artillery Advocate until May 2017. On 14 June 2017, he assumed command of 1st Battalion, 10th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, at Camp Lejeune, NC.
From July 2019 to June 2020, he attended the Eisenhower School, National Defense University, graduating with a Master of Arts in National Security Resourcing Strategy. He then served as Military Faculty at the Marine Corps Command and Staff College from June 2020 to June 2021.
In July 2021, he was assigned to the Joint Staff J-35 in Norfolk, VA, where he served as the Plans, Policy, and Technology Division Chief until July 2023. Following this assignment, he returned to the Marine Corps to serve as the G-32/39, Fires and Effects Coordinator on the II MEF Command Element from July 2023 to May 2025.
His personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with two gold stars, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with four gold stars, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon with gold star. He has been married to his wife, Lyndsay, for 23 years and has three daughters: Elizabeth (22), Ashleigh (19), and Addison (16).

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