Editing James L. Jones

{{Short description|Retired US Marine Corps general and National Security Advisor}}
{{About||this person's father|James L. Jones Sr.|the actor|James Earl Jones}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2018}}
{{Infobox officeholder
|image        = James L. Jones 2.jpg
|alt          = Full face color portrait photo of General James L Jones - a caucasian male with short dark hair and blue eyes; wearing US Marine Corps service A uniform - khaki shirt with four silver stars on the collar and khaki tie; wearing dark green jacket with 4 silvers stars on each shoulder epaulet, dark eagel clog and anchor emblem on both lapels, and multiple colorful military ribbons on the left chest.
|caption      = Official portrait, 2005
|office       = 21st [[National Security Advisor (United States)|United States National Security Advisor]]
|president    = [[Barack Obama]]
|deputy       = [[Thomas E. Donilon]]
|term_start   = January 20, 2009
|term_end     = October 8, 2010
|predecessor  = [[Stephen Hadley]]
|successor    = [[Thomas E. Donilon]]
|office1      = 14th [[Supreme Allied Commander Europe]]
|1blankname1  = Secretary General
|1namedata1   = [[George Robertson, Baron Robertson of Port Ellen|George Robertson]]<br/>[[Alessandro Minuto-Rizzo]] (acting)<br/>[[Jaap de Hoop Scheffer]]
|term_start1  = January 17, 2003
|term_end1    = December 7, 2006
|predecessor1 = [[Joseph Ralston]]
|successor1   = [[Bantz J. Craddock]]
|office2      = 32nd [[Commandant of the United States Marine Corps|Commandant of the Marine Corps]]
|president2   = [[Bill Clinton]]<br/>[[George W. Bush]]
|term_start2  = July 1, 1999
|term_end2    = January 12, 2003
|predecessor2 = [[Charles C. Krulak]]
|successor2   = [[Michael Hagee]]
|birth_name   = James Logan Jones Jr.
|birth_date   = {{nowrap|{{birth date and age|1943|12|19}}}}
|birth_place  = [[Kansas City, Missouri]], U.S.
|death_date   = 
|death_place  = 
|relatives    = [[James L. Jones Sr.]] (father)<br>[[William K. Jones]] (uncle)
|education    = [[Georgetown University]] ([[Bachelor of Science|BS]])
|allegiance   = [[United States]]
|branch       = [[United States Marine Corps]]
|serviceyears = 1967–2007
|rank         = {{Dodseal|USMCO10|25}} [[General (United States)|General]]
|commands     = [[Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe]]<br/>[[United States European Command]]<br/>[[Commandant of the United States Marine Corps|Commandant of the Marine Corps]]<br/>[[2nd Marine Division (United States)|2nd Marine Division]]<br/>[[24th Marine Expeditionary Unit]]<br/>[[3rd Battalion, 9th Marines]]
|battles      = [[Vietnam War]]<br/>[[Gulf War]]
|mawards      = [[Defense Distinguished Service Medal]] (4)<br/>[[Silver Star]]<br/>[[Legion of Merit]] (5)<br/>[[Bronze Star Medal]] (with [["V" Device]])<br/>[[#Awards and decorations|''Complete list'']]
}}
'''James Logan Jones Jr.''' (born December 19, 1943) is a retired [[United States Marine Corps]] [[General (United States)|four-star general]] and consultant who served as the 21st [[National Security Advisor (United States)|United States National Security Advisor]] from 2009 to 2010. During his military career, he served as the 32nd [[Commandant of the United States Marine Corps|Commandant of the Marine Corps]] from July 1999 to January 2003, and Commander, [[United States European Command]] and [[Supreme Allied Commander Europe]] from 2003 to 2006. Jones retired from the Marine Corps on February 1, 2007, after 40 years of service.

After retiring from the Marine Corps, Jones remained involved in national security and foreign policy issues. In 2007, Jones served as chairman of the Congressional Independent Commission on the Security Forces of Iraq,<ref name=independent-commission-security-forces-iraq>{{cite news|access-date=January 5, 2011|url=http://csis.org/program/independent-commission-security-forces-iraq|title=Independent Commission on the Security Forces of Iraq|publisher=Center for Strategic and International Studies|archive-date=January 6, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110106155435/http://csis.org/program/independent-commission-security-forces-iraq|url-status=dead}}</ref> which investigated the capabilities of the [[Iraq]]i police and armed forces. In November 2007, he was appointed by the [[United States Secretary of State|U.S. Secretary of State]] as special envoy for [[Middle East]] security. He served as chairman of the [[Atlantic Council]] from June 2007 to January 2009, when he assumed the post of [[National Security Advisor]] which he held until resigning in November 2010.<ref>{{Cite web| title = Ex-Obama Security Adviser Says Trump Was Correct to Kill Soleimani| work = Newsweek| access-date = 2024-11-19| date = 2020-01-15| url = https://www.newsweek.com/obama-former-national-security-adviser-trump-correct-kill-soleimani-1482235}}</ref>

Jones owns the consulting firms Ironhand Security LLC and Jones Group International LLC.

==Early life and education==
Jones was born in [[Kansas City, Missouri]], on December 19, 1943. He is the son of Charlotte Ann (née Ground) and [[James L. Jones Sr.]],<ref name=Arnold>{{cite journal|accessdate=18 May 2025|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/26497146?seq=1
|title=Colonel James L. Jones, Sr.: Father of Amphibious Reconnaissance and World War II Hero |first=William R. 
|last=Arnold|journal=American Intelligence Journal
|volume=35|number=1|pages=33}}
</ref> a decorated Marine in [[World War II]] who was an officer in the [[Observer Group]] and the commanding officer of its successor, the [[United States Marine Corps Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion|Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion]]. Having spent his formative years in France, where he attended the [[American School of Paris]],<ref name=HuffingtonPost_Wallechinsky>{{cite news|access-date=February 9, 2009|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-wallechinsky/national-security-advisor_b_155889.html|author-link=David Wallechinsky|first=David|last=Wallechinsky|date=January 7, 2009|title=National Security Advisor: Who is James L. (Revolving Door) Jones?|work=[[The Huffington Post]]|archive-date=September 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170901154920/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-wallechinsky/national-security-advisor_b_155889.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="LivDialog">{{cite interview |access-date=December 2, 2008 |first=Ted |last=Sorensen |subject-link=Ted Sorensen |interviewer=Duncan Campbell |title=Episode 58: Counselor: A Life at the Edge of History |work=Living Dialogues |type=Interview: Podcast |publisher=Personal Life Media |date=July 23, 2008 |url=http://personallifemedia.com/podcasts/212-living-dialogues/episodes/3968-ted-sorensen-counselor-life-edge |archive-date=January 13, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100113063140/http://personallifemedia.com/podcasts/212-living-dialogues/episodes/3968-ted-sorensen-counselor-life-edge |url-status=live }}</ref> he returned to the United States, graduating from [[West Potomac High School|Groveton High School]] in [[Fairfax County, Virginia]], then attended [[Georgetown University]] [[Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service]], from which he received a [[Bachelor of Science]] degree in 1966. Jones, who is {{convert|6|ft|4|in|m|spell=in}} tall, played [[Basketball position#Frontcourt (forwards and center)|forward]] on the [[1963–64 Georgetown Hoyas men's basketball team]].<ref name=WSJ2007>{{cite news |access-date=August 16, 2008 |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB117729466180378622 |title=The Courting of General Jones—Candidates From Both Parties Woo Policy-Savvy Ex-Marine |last=King Jr. |first=Neil |date=April 23, 2007 |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |archive-date=August 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809171358/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB117729466180378622 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Military career==
[[File:General James L. Jones visits MCRD San Diego, California (24 January 2002).png|thumb|left|280px|Jones visits [[Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego]] in January 2002, wearing an early version of the [[Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform]] in woodland [[MARPAT]]]]
In January 1967, Jones was commissioned a second lieutenant in the [[United States Marine Corps]]. Upon completion of [[The Basic School]] at [[Marine Corps Base Quantico]], [[Virginia]], in October 1967, he was ordered to [[South Vietnam]], where he served as a [[Platoon#United States organization|platoon]] and [[Company (military unit)#Marine Corps|company]] commander with Golf Company, [[2nd Battalion 3rd Marines|2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines]]. While overseas, he was promoted to [[First Lieutenant#U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Air Force|first lieutenant]] in June 1968.<ref name="Jones">{{cite news|url=http://usforeignpolicy.about.com/od/theobamaadministration/a/james-jones-profile.htm|title=The Obama Administration: James Jones Profile|last=Kolodkin|first=Barry|work=US Foreign Policy|access-date=February 6, 2014|archive-date=April 13, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413094508/http://usforeignpolicy.about.com/od/theobamaadministration/a/james-jones-profile.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Returning to the United States in December 1968, Jones was assigned to [[Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton]], [[California]], where he served as a company commander until May 1970. He then received orders to [[Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C.]], for duties as a company commander, serving in this assignment until July 1973. While at this post, he was promoted to [[Captain (U.S. Marine Corps)|captain]] in December 1970. From July 1973 until June 1974, he was a student at the Amphibious Warfare School, [[Marine Corps University]], [[Marine Corps Base Quantico]], Virginia.

In November 1974, Jones received orders to report to the [[3rd Marine Division (United States)|3rd Marine Division]] at [[Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler]], [[Okinawa Prefecture|Okinawa]], Japan, where he served as the commander of Company H, [[2nd Battalion 9th Marines (United States)|2nd Battalion, 9th Marines]], until December 1975.<ref name="Jones"/>

From January 1976 to August 1979, Jones served in the Officer Assignments Section at [[Headquarters Marine Corps]], Washington, D.C. During this assignment, he was promoted to [[Major (United States)#Army, Marine Corps and Air Force|major]] in July 1977. Remaining in Washington, his next assignment was as the Marine Corps liaison officer to the [[United States Senate]], where he served until July 1984. In this assignment, his first commander was [[John McCain]], then a [[United States Navy]] [[Captain (U.S. Navy)|captain]].<ref name=WSJ2007/> He was promoted to [[Lieutenant colonel (United States)|lieutenant colonel]] in September 1982.<ref name="DOD Jones">{{cite web|url=http://www.defense.gov/Bios/BiographyDetail.aspx?BiographyID=66|title=Defense Department Official Biography: Gen. James L. Jones|work=[[United States Department of Defense]]|access-date=February 6, 2014|archive-date=February 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221214717/http://www.defense.gov/Bios/BiographyDetail.aspx?BiographyID=66|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Senior staff and command===
[[File:CMC change of command 200301133b hr.jpg|thumb|upright|Change of Command ceremony, January 13, 2003. SgtMajMC [[Alford McMichael]] (left) salutes as General Jones (center) relinquishes command to General [[Michael Hagee]] (right)]]
Jones was selected to attend the [[National War College]] in Washington, D.C. Following graduation in June 1985, he was assigned to command the [[3rd Battalion 9th Marines|3rd Battalion, 9th Marines]], [[1st Marine Division (United States)|1st Marine Division]], at [[Camp Pendleton, California]], from July 1985 to July 1987.

In August 1987, Jones returned to Headquarters Marine Corps, where he served as senior [[aide-de-camp|aide]] to the [[Commandant of the United States Marine Corps|Commandant of the Marine Corps]]. He was promoted to [[Colonel (United States)|colonel]] in April 1988, and became the [[Military Secretary to the Commandant of the Marine Corps]] in February 1989. During August 1990, Jones was assigned as the commanding officer of the [[24th Marine Expeditionary Unit]] (24th MEU) at [[Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune]], [[North Carolina]].

During his tour with the 24th MEU, Jones participated in [[Operation Provide Comfort]] in Northern Iraq and Turkey. He was advanced to [[Brigadier general (United States)|brigadier general]] on April 23, 1992. Jones was assigned to duties as deputy director, J-3, [[United States European Command]] in [[Stuttgart]], Germany, on July 15, 1992. During this tour of duty, he was reassigned as chief of staff, [[Operation Provide Promise|Joint Task Force Provide Promise]], for operations in [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]] and [[North Macedonia]].<ref name="DOD Jones"/>

Returning to the United States, Jones was advanced to the rank of major general in July 1994 and was assigned as commanding general, [[2nd Marine Division (United States)|2nd Marine Division]], [[Marine Forces Atlantic]], Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. Jones next served as director, Expeditionary Warfare Division (N85), Office of the [[Chief of Naval Operations]], during 1996, then as the deputy chief of staff for plans, policies, and operations, Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington, D.C. He was advanced to [[Lieutenant general (United States)|lieutenant general]] on July 18, 1996. His next assignment was as the military assistant to the [[United States Secretary of Defense|Secretary of Defense]].<ref name="Jones"/>

===Commandant===
[[File:General James L. Jones MARPAT MCCUU Prototype.png|thumb|right|Jones examines an early MCCUU/MARPAT prototype during its testing phases]]
[[File:JamesLJones announced EUCOM 200301169a.jpg|thumb|200px|Deputy Defense Secretary [[Paul Wolfowitz|Paul D. Wolfowitz]] and Jones at press conference announcing Jones as EUCOM Commander]]

On April 21, 1999, Jones was nominated for appointment to the grade of general and assignment as the 32nd [[Commandant of the United States Marine Corps|Commandant of the Marine Corps]]. He was promoted to general on June 30, 1999, and assumed the post on July 1, 1999. He served as commandant until January 2003, turning over the reins to General [[Michael Hagee]].<ref name=DefenseLink>{{cite news |access-date=December 3, 2008 |url=http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=29581 |first=Jim |last=Garamone |agency=American Forces Press Service |date=January 13, 2003 |title=Transformation a Common Theme at Marine Commandant Change Ceremony |work=Defense Link |publisher=[[United States Department of Defense]] |archive-date=October 29, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081029004957/http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=29581 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Among other innovations during his tenure as Marine Corps commandant, Jones oversaw the Marine Corps' development of [[MARPAT]] [[Military camouflage|camouflage]] [[Military uniform|uniforms]], and the adoption of the [[Marine Corps Martial Arts Program]]. These replaced [[M81 Woodland]] uniforms and the [[LINE (combat system)|LINE combat system]], respectively.

===Supreme Allied Commander Europe===
Jones assumed duties as the commander of [[United States European Command]] (EUCOM) on January 16, 2003, and [[Supreme Allied Commander Europe]] (SACEUR) the following day. He was the first Marine Corps general to serve as SACEUR/EUCOM commander.

The Marine Corps had only recently begun to take on a larger share of high-level assignments in the [[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]]. In December 2006, Jones was one of five serving Marine Corps [[list of United States four-star officers|four-star general officers]] who outranked the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General [[James T. Conway]] in terms of seniority and time in grade—the others being [[Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]] General [[Peter Pace]]; former commandant General [[Michael Hagee]]; commander of [[United States Strategic Command]] General [[James E. Cartwright]]; and Assistant Commandant General [[Robert Magnus]].<ref name=PublicDirectory_20061206>{{cite web|access-date=December 6, 2006 |url=https://138.156.230.184/gosa/biographies/rptPublicContactList.asp|format=[[Microsoft Word]]|title=''Public Directory of: U.S. Marine Corps General Officers & Senior Executives''|date=December 6, 2006|publisher=www.manpower.usmc.mil}}{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

As SACEUR, Jones led the [[Allied Command Operations]] (ACO), comprising [[NATO]]'s military forces in Europe, from the [[Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe]] in [[Mons, Belgium|Mons]], Belgium. Jones relinquished command as SACEUR on December 7, 2006, and was succeeded by [[United States Army]] General [[Bantz J. Craddock|John Craddock]].<ref name="SHAPE_retirement">{{cite news |url=http://www.nato.int/shape/news/2006/12/061204a.htm |title=General JOHN CRADDOCK will be the new commander |date=December 4, 2006 |work=SHAPE News |publisher=[[Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe]] (SHAPE), [[NATO]] |access-date=December 6, 2006 |archive-date=December 6, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061206045512/http://www.nato.int/shape/news/2006/12/061204a.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> Jones was reported to have declined an opportunity to succeed General [[John P. Abizaid]] as commander of [[United States Central Command]].<ref name=WashingtonPost_Ignatius_20061109>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/08/AR2006110802084.html|title=The Defense Secretary We Had, Tough—and Unaccountable|first=David|last=Ignatius|date=November 9, 2006|newspaper=[[Washington Post]]|page=A29|access-date=November 18, 2006|archive-date=May 15, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515232827/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/08/AR2006110802084.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He retired from the Marine Corps on February 1, 2007.<ref name="SHAPE_retirement"/>

===Awards and decorations===
Jones' personal decorations include (foreign and non-U.S. personal and unit decorations are in order of precedence based on military guidelines and award date):
<!-- Precedence: U.S. personal awards, U.S. unit awards, U.S. campaign awards, International & Foreign personal awards, International & Foreign unit awards, International & Foreign campaign awards -->
{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|colspan="4"|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Defense Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}<span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -83px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg|22px]]</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -63px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg|22px]]</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -43px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg|22px]]</span>
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Silver Star ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Legion of Merit ribbon.svg|width=106}}<span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -97px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:1 golden star.svg|22px]]</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -75px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:1 golden star.svg|22px]]</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -53px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:1 golden star.svg|22px]]</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -31px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:1 golden star.svg|22px]]</span>
|{{Ribbon devices|other_device=nv|ribbon=Bronze Star ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Combat Action Ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=United States Navy Presidential Unit Citation ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Joint Meritorious Unit Award (USMC and USN frame).svg|width=106}}<span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -73px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg|22px]]</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -53px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg|22px]]</span>
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}}<span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -71px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg|18px]]</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -90px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg|18px]]</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -52px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg|18px]]</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -33px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg|18px]]</span>
|-
|[[File:NIDRib.gif|106px]]
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}<span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -71px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg|18px]]</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -52px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg|18px]]</span>
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}<span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -71px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg|18px]]</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -90px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg|18px]]</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -52px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg|18px]]</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -33px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg|18px]]</span>
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=Southwest Asia Service Medal ribbon (1991-2016).svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Armed Forces Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Humanitarian Service ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.svg|width=106}}<span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -61px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg|18px]]</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -80px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg|18px]]</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -42px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg|18px]]</span>
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Vietnamese Gallantry Cross ribbon.svg|width=106}}<span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -66px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg|27px]]</span>
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Legion Honneur Commandeur ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Ordre national du Merite Officier ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=CAN Meritorious Service Cross (military division) ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Commendatore BAR.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=EST_Order_of_the_Cross_of_the_Eagle_1st_Class_BAR.png|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=LTU Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas - Commander's Grand Cross BAR.png|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=PRT Military Order of Aviz - Grand Cross BAR.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=GER Bundesverdienstkreuz 6 GrVK Stern Band 218px.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam gallantry cross unit award-3d.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=VNCivilActionsRibbon-2.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=NATO Meritorious Service Medal bar.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=NATO Medal Yugoslavia ribbon bar.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam Campaign Medal ribbon with 60- clasp.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|colspan="4"|[[File:USEUCOM.svg|140px]]
|-
|} 
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
!Row 1
|colspan="4"|[[Defense Distinguished Service Medal]]<br/>w/ 3 bronze [[oak leaf cluster]]s
|-
!Row 2 
|[[Silver Star]]
|[[Legion of Merit]]<br/>w/ 4 [[award star]]s
|[[Bronze Star Medal|Bronze Star]]<br/>w/ [[valor device]]
|[[Combat Action Ribbon]]
|-
!Row 3 
|[[Presidential Unit Citation (United States)|Navy Presidential Unit Citation]]
|[[Joint Meritorious Unit Award]]<br/>w/ 2 [[oak leaf cluster]]s
|[[Navy Unit Commendation]]
|[[Meritorious Unit Commendation|Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation]]<br/>w/ 4 [[service star]]s
|-
!Row 4 
|[[National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal]]
|[[National Defense Service Medal]]<br/>w/ 2 service stars
|[[Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal]]
|[[Vietnam Service Medal]]<br/>w/ 4 service stars
|-
!Row 5 
|[[Southwest Asia Service Medal]] w/ 1 service star
|[[Armed Forces Service Medal]]
|[[Humanitarian Service Medal]]
|[[Sea Service Ribbon|Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon]]<br/>w/ 3 service stars
|-
!Row 6 
|[[Overseas Service Ribbon|Navy & Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon]]<br/>w/ 1 service star
|[[Gallantry Cross (Vietnam)|Vietnam Gallantry Cross]]<br/>w/ bronze star
|[[Legion of Honour|Legion of Honor Commander]]
|[[Ordre national du Mérite|National Order of Merit Officier]]
|-
!Row 7 
|[[Meritorious Service Decoration|Meritorious Service Cross]], [[Post-nominal letters|post-nominal]]: M.S.C.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Governor General announces the awarding of Military Valour Decorations, Meritorious Service Decorations and a Mention in Dispatches |publisher=[[Governor General of Canada]] |date=February 6, 2007 |url=http://www.gg.ca/media/doc.asp?lang=e&DocID=4961 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070209080845/http://www.gg.ca/media/doc.asp?lang=e&DocID=4961 |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 9, 2007 |access-date=December 2, 2008  }}</ref>
|[[Military Order of Italy]], Commander
|[[Order of the Cross of the Eagle]], 1st Class<ref name=Eesti>{{cite news |title=President Ilves vähendas medalisadu ligi kolm korda |language=et |publisher=[[Eesti Ekspress]] |date=February 7, 2007 |url=http://www.ekspress.ee/viewdoc/0997893706CC409EC225727B0031F1D8 |access-date=November 30, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927001536/http://www.ekspress.ee/viewdoc/0997893706CC409EC225727B0031F1D8 |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
|[[Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas]], Commander's Grand Cross<ref>{{cite web|url=http://adamkus.president.lt/ordinai/table_e.phtml?sort=surname,7300,0|title=President of the Republic of Lithuania. State Decorations|access-date=July 30, 2018|archive-date=September 27, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927193455/http://adamkus.president.lt/ordinai/table_e.phtml?sort=surname,7300,0|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
!Row 8 
|[[Order of Aviz|Military Order of Aviz]], Grand Cross<ref name="ordens">{{cite news |title=Decorations to foreign citizens |language=pt |publisher=Portuguese Chancellor of Honorary Orders |date=September 10, 2006 |url=http://www.ekspress.ee/viewdoc/0997893706CC409EC225727B0031F1D8 |access-date=November 30, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927001536/http://www.ekspress.ee/viewdoc/0997893706CC409EC225727B0031F1D8 |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
|[[Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany|Great Merit Cross - Grand Cross - Great Cross with Star and Sash]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bmvg.de/portal/a/bmvg/!ut/p/c4/NYw7CsMwEETP4gtoJQL5dQnG2E3SJVE62RJiQR-zWdtNDh-pyAy85g0DbyhNZkVvGHMyAV6gJzyPmxjj6kXEhB92hEuEZ91aJ6acHFeyS4yFngxnEnMmDtUsRMUItKClaq9SyX_Ud__o27477E7DrbvXw-BBWwdzjMft0jQ_CHziBA!!/|title=Ein Mittler im transatlantischen Verhältnis geht|date=November 10, 2006|publisher=[[Federal Ministry of Defence (Germany)|Bundesministerium der Verteidigung]]|language=de|access-date=March 21, 2011|location=[[Berlin]]|archive-date=September 28, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928141726/http://www.bmvg.de/portal/a/bmvg/!ut/p/c4/NYw7CsMwEETP4gtoJQL5dQnG2E3SJVE62RJiQR-zWdtNDh-pyAy85g0DbyhNZkVvGHMyAV6gJzyPmxjj6kXEhB92hEuEZ91aJ6acHFeyS4yFngxnEnMmDtUsRMUItKClaq9SyX_Ud__o27477E7DrbvXw-BBWwdzjMft0jQ_CHziBA!!/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|[[Gallantry Cross (Vietnam)|Vietnam Gallantry Cross unit citation]]
|[[Civil Actions Medal|Vietnam Civil Actions unit citation]]
|-
!Row 9 
|[[NATO Medal|NATO Meritorious Service Medal]]
|[[NATO Medal|NATO Medal for Former Yugoslavia]]
|[[Vietnam Campaign Medal]]
|[[Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)]]
|-
|colspan="5"|[[United States European Command]] Badge
|-
|}

===Silver Star citation===

[[File:Silver_Star_medal.png|40px|left]]

<blockquote>The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant James Logan Jones, Jr. (MCSN: 0-102030), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of Company F, Second Battalion, Third Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the night of 27 May 1968, while occupying a defensive position near Khe Sanh, Company F, came under heavy attack by a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force. During the ensuing fire fight, the company defensive perimeter was penetrated by enemy. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, First Lieutenant Jones unhesitatingly exposed himself to intense fire and fearlessly maneuvered across the fire-swept terrain while rapidly readjusting his defensive lines. Ignoring the enemy rockets and hand grenades impacting around him, he boldly directed supporting artillery fire on his position to halt the hostile force's attack. Continuing his determined efforts, he directed the delivery of accurate suppressive fire which repulsed numerous enemy attacks during the remainder of the night. His heroic actions and outstanding leadership inspired all who served with him and were instrumental in his unit accounting for 230 North Vietnamese soldiers confirmed killed. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, First Lieutenant Jones upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.<ref>{{cite web |title=James Jones - Recipient - |url=https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/23610#33985 |website=valor.militarytimes.com |access-date=29 July 2024 |language=en}}</ref></blockquote>

====Other recognition====
In 2000, Jones received the Golden Plate Award of the [[Academy of Achievement|American Academy of Achievement]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Golden Plate Awardees of the American Academy of Achievement|website=www.achievement.org|publisher=[[American Academy of Achievement]]|url=https://achievement.org/our-history/golden-plate-awards/#public-service|access-date=January 1, 2021|archive-date=December 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161215023909/https://achievement.org/our-history/golden-plate-awards/#public-service|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Post-military career==
===Business roles===
Following his retirement from the military, Jones became president of the Institute for 21st Century Energy,<ref name=EnergyXXI>{{cite web|url=http://www.energyxxi.org/xxi/default|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070701120122/http://www.energyxxi.org/xxi/default|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 1, 2007 |title=Institute for 21st Century Energy|publisher=[[United States Chamber of Commerce]]}}</ref> an affiliate of the [[United States Chamber of Commerce|US Chamber of Commerce]];<ref name=EnergyXXI/> he also served as chair of the board of directors of the [[Atlantic Council of the United States]] from June 2007<ref name=AtlanticCouncil_20070518>{{cite press release|access-date=November 30, 2008 |url=http://www.acus.org/docs/Press%20Release/070518-JONES%20ELECTED%20ATLANTIC%20COUNCIL%20CHAIRMAN.pdf|publisher=[[Atlantic Council of the United States]]|date=May 18, 2007|title=General James L. Jones USMC (ret.) Elected Chairman of The Atlantic Council Board of Directors|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090120221600/http://www.acus.org/docs/Press%20Release/070518-JONES%20ELECTED%20ATLANTIC%20COUNCIL%20CHAIRMAN.pdf|archive-date=January 20, 2009}}</ref> until January 2009, when he assumed the post of National Security Advisor.<ref name=Farewell>{{cite web|access-date=January 20, 2018 |url=http://www.acus.org/event_blog/general-jones-congratulated-bid-farewell-atlantic-council|title=Farewell and Congratulations to General Jones|date=January 13, 2009|publisher=Atlantic Council of the United States|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218154218/http://www.acus.org/event_blog/general-jones-congratulated-bid-farewell-atlantic-council|archive-date=February 18, 2012}}</ref>  Jones also served as a member of the guiding coalition for the [[Project on National Security Reform]], as well as chairman of the Independent Commission on the Iraqi Security Forces.<ref name=AtlanticCouncil_20070912>{{cite web|url=http://www.acus.org/Gen_James_L_Jones_Atlantic_Council_09-12-2007_page2.asp |title=Remarks by General (ret.) James L. Jones at the Atlantic Council of the United States|last=Jones|first=James L.|work=Public Remarks|date=September 12, 2007|publisher=[[Atlantic Council of the United States]]|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080318203442/http://www.acus.org/Gen_James_L_Jones_Atlantic_Council_09-12-2007_page2.asp |archive-date=March 18, 2008}}</ref> He was a member of the [[board of directors]] of [[Boeing|The Boeing Company]] from June 21, 2007, to December 15, 2008, serving on the company's Audit and Finance Committees.<ref name=BoeingProxyStatement2008>{{cite web|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/12927/000119312508057498/ddef14a.htm#toc96257_23|title=Definitive Notice and Proxy Statement|publisher=The Boeing Company|year=2008|access-date=September 1, 2017|archive-date=August 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818142538/https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/12927/000119312508057498/ddef14a.htm#toc96257_23|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=BoeingNewsRelease081215b>{{cite web |url=http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2008/q4/081215b_nr.html|title=Boeing Director Gen. James Jones Resigns Board Seat |publisher=The Boeing Company|date=December 15, 2008|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217044639/http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2008/q4/081215b_nr.html|archive-date=December 17, 2008}}</ref> Jones was also a member of the board of directors of [[Cross Match Technologies]], a privately held biometric solutions company, from October 2007 to January 2009.<ref name=CMTboard>{{cite web|access-date=December 12, 2008|url=http://www.crossmatch.net/pr/Jones_10_03_07.html|title=Board of Directors: General James L. Jones|publisher=Cross Match Technologies|date=October 2007|archive-date=October 17, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017162821/http://crossmatch.net/pr/Jones_10_03_07.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=CMTNSA_resignation>{{cite press release|access-date=January 15, 2009 |url=http://www.crossmatch.com/pr/1_12_09.html|title=Cross Match Announces General James L. Jones, USMC (Ret.) Resigns from Board of Directors|publisher=Cross Match Technologies|date=January 15, 2009|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923211238/http://www.crossmatch.com/pr/1_12_09.html|archive-date=September 23, 2015}}</ref>

Jones was employed on the board of trustees of the [[Center for Strategic and International Studies]] (CSIS), a bipartisan think-tank, from 2007 to 2008, and then began serving again in 2011.<ref name=CSISBoard>{{cite web|access-date=January 5, 2011|url=http://csis.org/press/press-release/former-national-security-advisor-general-james-jones-rejoins-csis-board-trustees|title=James L. Jones Rejoins CSIS Board of Trustees|publisher=CSIS.org|date=January 2011|archive-date=January 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110107022503/http://csis.org/press/press-release/former-national-security-advisor-general-james-jones-rejoins-csis-board-trustees|url-status=live}}</ref> He was a member of the board of directors of [[Chevron Corporation]] from May 28, 2008, to December 5, 2008, serving on the Board Nominating and Governance and Public Policy Committees.<ref name=BizJournal>{{cite news|access-date=March 29, 2008|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/stories/2008/03/24/daily29.html|title=Former USMC Commandant Jones nominated to Chevron board|work=San Francisco Business Times|author=Brown, Steven E. F.|date=March 26, 2008|publisher=Biz Journals|archive-date=May 25, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525215653/http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/stories/2008/03/24/daily29.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=CVXboard2008>{{cite web|access-date=August 24, 2008|url=http://www.chevron.com/about/leadership/boardofdirectors/jones/ |title=Board of Directors: General James L. Jones|publisher=Chevron|date=July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080803081859/http://www.chevron.com/about/leadership/boardofdirectors/jones/  |archive-date=August 3, 2008}}</ref><ref name=CVXboard2008-12-10>{{cite web|access-date=December 10, 2008 |url=http://www.chevron.com/news/press/release/?id=2008-12-10|title=Enrique Hernandez Jr. Elected to Chevron Board of Directors; Gen. James L. Jones Resigns Following National Security Adviser Appointment|publisher=Chevron|date=December 2008|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081212163629/http://www.chevron.com/news/press/release/?id=2008-12-10|archive-date=December 12, 2008}}</ref>
According to the first report since Jones re-entered government service in January 2009, Jones earned a salary and bonus of $900,000 from the US Chamber, as well as director fees of $330,000 from the [[Boeing Company]] and $290,000 from the [[Chevron Corporation]].<ref>[https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB123879462053487927 "Hedge Fund Paid Summers $5.2 Million in Past Year"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929003253/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB123879462053487927 |date=September 29, 2021 }} by John D. McKinnon and F. W. Farnum, ''wsj.online'', April 4, 2009. Retrieved 4/5/09.</ref>

After leaving the Obama administration, Jones returned as a Fellow at the US Chamber in 2011.<ref>U.S. Chamber of Commerce (2011). [http://www.uschamber.com/press/releases/2011/march/general-james-jones-named-us-chamber-fellow General James Jones Named U.S. Chamber Fellow] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524153445/https://www.uschamber.com/press/releases/2011/march/general-james-jones-named-us-chamber-fellow |date=May 24, 2011 }}. Retrieved April 3, 2011.</ref>

The board of directors of [[General Dynamics]] has elected Jones to be a director of the corporation, effective August 3, 2011. Also, on January 13, 2012, Jones joined Deloitte Consulting LLP as a senior adviser who will work with Federal and commercial consulting clients within Deloitte's Department of Defense and Intel segments. In early 2013, Jones joined OxiCool Inc's Advisory Board.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/general-james-jones-joins-developer-of-green-air-conditioning-oxicool-inc-202389021.html|title=General James Jones Joins Developer of Green Air Conditioning OxiCool, Inc.|website=prnewswire.com|access-date=July 30, 2018|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924145000/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/general-james-jones-joins-developer-of-green-air-conditioning-oxicool-inc-202389021.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Jones established the consulting firms Ironhand Security LLC and Jones Group International LLC. The firms have worked for foreign governments, including Saudi Arabia. After the [[Assassination of Jamal Khashoggi|murder of Jamal Khashoggi]] by the Saudi regime, Jones downplayed his firms' work with the Saudi government and said that the remaining contract with them was about to expire. However, Jones's firms subsequently expanded its partnership with the Saudi regime. By 2022, his firms had four contracts with the Saudi government and employed 53 Americans in Riyadh, eight of whom were retired generals and admirals.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last1=Whitlock |first1=Craig |last2=Jones |first2=Nate |date=2022 |title=Retired U.S. generals, admirals take top jobs with Saudi crown prince |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/interactive/2022/veterans-us-foreign-jobs-saudi-arabia/ |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en |access-date=October 18, 2022 |archive-date=October 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018144110/https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/interactive/2022/veterans-us-foreign-jobs-saudi-arabia/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Diplomatic roles===
[[United States Secretary of State|Secretary of State]] [[Condoleezza Rice]] asked Jones twice to be [[United States Deputy Secretary of State|Deputy Secretary of State]] after [[Robert Zoellick]] resigned. He declined.<ref name=DepSoS>{{cite web|access-date=May 11, 2008|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2006/11/21/potential-deputies-to-rice-no-thanks/|date=November 21, 2006|title=Potential Deputies to Rice: No Thanks|work=Washington Wire|format=Blog|author=WSJ Capital Bureau|publisher=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|archive-date=December 21, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081221015904/http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2006/11/21/potential-deputies-to-rice-no-thanks/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On May 25, 2007, Congress created an Independent Commission on the Security Forces of Iraq to investigate for 120 days the capabilities of the Iraq armed forces and police.<ref>P.L. 110–28 § 1314(e)(2).</ref> Jones served as chairman of that commission and reported on Congress on September 6, 2007,<ref name=CSpan_20070906>{{cite news|access-date=September 20, 2007|url=http://www.c-span.org/pdf/jonesreport090607.pdf|title=The Report of the Independent Security Commission on the Security Forces of Iraq |last=Jones|first=General James L. USMC (retired) (Chairman)|date=September 6, 2007|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011044722/http://www.c-span.org/pdf/jonesreport090607.pdf|archive-date=October 11, 2007}}</ref> noting serious deficiencies in the Iraq Interior Ministry and in the Iraq National Police.

Rice appointed Jones as a special envoy for Middle East security on November 28, 2007, to work with both [[Israel]]is and [[Palestinians]] on security issues.<ref name=RiceNov2007>{{cite web|access-date=November 29, 2007|url=https://2001-2009.state.gov/secretary/rm/2007/11/95838.htm|title=Announcement of General James Jones as Special Envoy for Middle East Security|first=Condoleezza|last=Rice|author-link=Condoleezza Rice|work=Secretary Rice's Remarks|format=Public statement|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|location=Washington, D.C.|date=November 28, 2007|archive-date=February 5, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205074854/http://2001-2009.state.gov/secretary/rm/2007/11/95838.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Bloomberg_Zacharia_20071128>{{cite news|access-date=November 5, 2008
|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=ae2RGIfF0kB8&refer=home|title=Former NATO Commander Jones Named U.S. Mideast Envoy|date=November 28, 2007|last=Zacharia|first=Janine|publisher=[[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg]]}}</ref>

Jones serves as a Senior Fellow at the [[Bipartisan Policy Center]] (BPC), where he works on a variety of national security and energy-related issues.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bipartisanpolicy.org/news/press-releases/2011/02/bipartisan-policy-center-welcomes-general-jim-jones|title=The Bipartisan Policy Center Welcomes General Jim Jones|access-date=July 30, 2018|archive-date=May 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530092634/http://bipartisanpolicy.org/news/press-releases/2011/02/bipartisan-policy-center-welcomes-general-jim-jones|url-status=dead}}</ref> Jones is also a co-chair of BPC's Energy Project.

Jones is an Advisory Board Member of [[Spirit of America (charity)|Spirit of America]], a [[501(c)(3) organization]] that supports the safety and success of Americans serving abroad and the local people and partners they seek to help.<ref name=SOA-bio>{{cite web|accessdate=May 19, 2025|url=https://spiritofamerica.org/about/team/james-jones
|title=Board of Advisors: General James Jones, US Marine Corps, Retired|publisher=Spirit of America}}</ref>

===National Security Advisor===
[[File:Msc 2009-Sunday, 8.30 - 11.00 Uhr-Zwez 005 Ischinger Jones Karzei.jpg|thumb|220px|Jones shakes hands with [[President of Afghanistan]] [[Hamid Karzai]].]]

On December 1, 2008, President-elect Obama announced Jones as his selection for [[National Security Advisor (United States)|National Security Advisor]].<ref name=Change.gov_20081201>{{cite press release|access-date=December 1, 2008 |url=http://change.gov/newsroom/entry/key_members_of_obama_biden_national_security_team_announced/|title=Key members of Obama-Biden national security team announced|date=December 1, 2008|publisher=The Office of the President Elect|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201182614/http://change.gov/newsroom/entry/key_members_of_obama_biden_national_security_team_announced/|archive-date=December 1, 2008}}</ref><ref name=msnbc>{{cite news |agency=[[Associated Press]] |title=Obama names Clinton to top role in his team |date=December 1, 2008 |work=Politics |publisher=[[NBC News]] |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna27983003 |access-date=December 1, 2008 |archive-date=February 27, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227083922/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/27983003/ |url-status=live }}</ref>  The National Security Advisor is appointed by the president without confirmation by the United States Senate.

The selection surprised people because, as [[Michael Crowley (journalist)|Michael Crowley]] reported, "The two men didn't meet until Obama's foreign policy aide, [[Mark Lippert]], arranged a 2005 sit-down, and, as of this October, Jones had only spoken to Obama twice".<ref name = crowley>{{cite magazine|last=Crowley|first=Michael|title=Man in the Mirror|magazine=The New Republic|date=December 31, 2008|url=http://www.tnr.com/politics/story.html?id=739be2da-4d50-49ee-b1c1-60eb865a69c6|access-date=January 12, 2008|archive-date=December 25, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081225005631/http://www.tnr.com/politics/story.html?id=739be2da-4d50-49ee-b1c1-60eb865a69c6|url-status=dead}}</ref> Crowley speculated that Jones' record suggests he is "someone who, unencumbered by strong ideological leanings, can evaluate ideas dispassionately whether they come from [[political left|left]] or [[political right|right]]", and, "This is probably why Obama picked him". Jones was also picked because he is well respected and likely to possess the skills to navigate the other prestigious and powerful cabinet members.

[[File:Obama, Clinton, Gates, Jones and Mullen in Marine One.jpg|thumb|Interior of a VH-3D Sea King [[Marine One]] transporting President Obama and Gen Jones]]

Though he did not know [[Robert Gates|Gates]] especially well, both men shared long experience in the national security establishment (Gates was in the [[United States Air Force|Air Force]] and previously headed the [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]]). Jones and [[Hillary Clinton|Clinton]] had a more direct connection from her tenure on the [[Senate Armed Services Committee]]. The two were said to have particularly clicked at a 2005 [[Munich Security Conference|conference on security policy]] in [[Munich]]. Jones hosted a small private dinner that included Clinton and [[South Carolina]] Republican Senator [[Lindsey Graham]], among others; at the end of the convivial evening, according to one person present, Jones followed Clinton out to her car to visit in private.<ref name = crowley/>

Jones assumed the post when Obama was sworn into office on January 20, 2009. He announced his resignation as National Security Advisor on October 8, 2010, and was succeeded by [[Thomas E. Donilon]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Feller|first=Ben|title=AP sources: Jones stepping down as Obama's national security adviser; Donilon to replace him |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5gD-6wdjYRjpr-4VV4vZb_eFtjbjg?docId=4777657|publisher=Canadian Press |access-date=October 8, 2010|date=October 8, 2010}}{{dead link|date=June 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

===Advocate for Iranian dissidents===
In March 2013, Jones was quoted comparing the conditions for [[Iran]]ians in a US camp in [[Iraq]] with the conditions of detention for captives held in the [[Guantanamo Bay detention camp]]s.<ref name=ForeignPolicy2013-03-12>{{cite magazine |url=http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2013/03/12/jim_jones_camp_liberty_is_worse_than_guantanamo|title=Jim Jones: Camp Liberty is worse than Guantanamo|magazine=[[Foreign Policy]]|author=Josh Rogin|date=March 12, 2013|archive-date=March 18, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130318155512/http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2013/03/12/jim_jones_camp_liberty_is_worse_than_guantanamo |url-status=live}}</ref> While addressing the Iranian American Cultural Society of Michigan, Jones said Guantanamo captives "are treated far better" than the Iranian internees. Jones criticized other aspects of the Obama administration's policy on Iran. [[Foreign Policy (magazine)|''Foreign Policy'' magazine]] noted that Jones had not volunteered whether he had been paid for this speaking engagement.

===Middle East consultancy===
In March 2017, Jones reportedly began working as a paid consultant for the [[Ministry of Defense (Saudi Arabia)]]. In 2019, he began working for the government of [[Libya]], but stopped after a few months at the request of the State Department.<ref>{{cite news | last1=Whitlock | first1=Craig | last2=Jones | first2=Nate | title=Retired U.S. Generals, Admirals Take Top Jobs with Saudi Crown Prince | date=October 18, 2022 | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/interactive/2022/veterans-us-foreign-jobs-saudi-arabia/ | newspaper=Washington Post | quote=Jones applied for authorization to work for the Saudis in November 2016 and received U.S. approval four months later, documents show. [...] In 2019, Jones, Wald and two retired Army lieutenant generals working for the company — Michael Barbero and Douglas Lute — applied for and obtained U.S. approval to advise the Libyan government on the disarmament and reintegration of militia fighters, documents show. [...] Wald told The Post that Jones Group worked in Libya for only a few months. [...] Jones said his company stopped working in Libya at the State Department’s request because of the country’s political instability. | access-date=October 18, 2022 | archive-date=October 18, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018144110/https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/interactive/2022/veterans-us-foreign-jobs-saudi-arabia/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

==Personal life==
Former Secretary of Defense [[William Cohen]], who hired Jones as his military assistant, said that Jones has a placid demeanor and a "methodical approach to problems—he's able to view issues at both the strategic and tactical level".<ref name=newsweek-29Nov08>{{cite news|url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/171269|title=The General's Marching Orders|work=[[Newsweek]]|last=Barry|first=John|author2=Ephron, Dan|author3=Wolffe, Richard|date=December 8, 2008|access-date=November 30, 2008|archive-date=December 2, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202104258/http://www.newsweek.com/id/171269|url-status=live}}</ref>

Jones was also responsible for convincing country music artist [[Toby Keith]] that he should record and publish his popular concert hit "[[Courtesy of the Red, White, & Blue (The Angry American)]]".<ref>{{cite news|title=How do you like him now? Toby Keith blasts Peter Jennings and the Dixie Chicks, talks about the pleasures of burping and defends his hit song 'The Angry American'|date=September 6, 2002|work=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]}}</ref>

Jones is married. He and his wife Diane are the parents of three sons and one daughter.<ref name=EF-interview>[https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Meet+the+Joneses%3a+the+Corps%27+first+family+discuss+their+lives%2c+the...-a089807733 "Meet the Joneses: the Corps' first family discuss their lives, the impact of having a child with special needs, and their Marines. (Cover Story).."] (July 1, 2002). ''The Exceptional Parent''.  EP Global Communications, Inc. via The Free Library. Retrieved May 19, 2025.</ref>

==See also==
* [[James L. Jones Sr.]], decorated [[World War II]] Marine Corps officer, father of General James L. Jones Jr.
* [[William K. Jones]], decorated Marine Corps lieutenant general, served in combat in three wars; uncle of General James L. Jones<ref name=ASPJ_Hughes_Summer2008>{{cite journal|access-date=January 14, 2009|url=http://www.airpower.maxwell.af.mil/airchronicles/bookrev/jones3.html|title=Book Review: ''Boys of '67: From Vietnam to Iraq, the Extraordinary Story of a Few Good Men'' by Charles Jones. Stackpole Books|first=LtCol Richard J., USAF|last=Hughes|journal=[[Air & Space Power Journal]]|date=Summer 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081003210419/http://www.airpower.maxwell.af.mil/airchronicles/bookrev/jones3.html|archive-date=October 3, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Citations ==
{{Reflist}}

== General references ==
{{Refbegin}}
* {{cite web|url=https://slsp.manpower.usmc.mil/GOSA/Biographies/rptBiography.asp?PERSON_ID=133&PERSON_TYPE=General|title=General James L. Jones, Jr. – Retired|work=General Officer Biographies|publisher=United States Marine Corps|access-date=April 27, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318205127/https://slsp.manpower.usmc.mil/GOSA/Biographies/rptBiography.asp?PERSON_ID=133&PERSON_TYPE=General|archive-date=March 18, 2012}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/HD/Whos_Who/Jones_JL.htm|title=General James L. Jones, USMC (Retired)|work=Who's Who in Marine Corps History|publisher=[[United States Marine Corps History Division]]|access-date=April 27, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615063625/http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/HD/Whos_Who/Jones_JL.htm|archive-date=June 15, 2011|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.nato.int/shape/bios/saceur/jones.htm|title=General James L. Jones|date=December 2, 2008|work=SHAPE Biographies|publisher=Allied Command Operations, NATO|access-date=April 27, 2010|archive-date=February 16, 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030216042016/http://www.nato.int/shape/bios/saceur/jones.htm|url-status=dead}}
* {{cite web |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/nsc/nsa/ |title=National Security Advisor: General James L. Jones, USMC (Ret) |work=National Security Council |publisher=[[White House]] |access-date=April 27, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121225135648/http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/nsc/nsa |archive-date=December 25, 2012 |url-status=dead }}
* {{cite magazine
|access-date=December 3, 2008
|url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1863062_1863058_1863054,00.html
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205181503/http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1863062_1863058_1863054,00.html
|url-status=dead
|archive-date=December 5, 2008
|title=All the President's Men—National Security Advisor: James Jones Jr.
|first=Mark
|last=Thompson
|date=December 1, 2008
|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|TIME]]
}}
{{Refend}}

===Attribution===
{{USGovernment}}{{nonspecific|date=August 2017}}

==External links==
{{Commons|James L. Jones}}
* {{C-SPAN|35758}}
* {{Charlie Rose view|5998}}
* {{NYTtopic|people/j/james_l_jones}}

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