Biography

COL Omar Jones was commissioned in 1992 from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. Following basic officer training at Fort Benning Georgia, he was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 505 Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, where he led three platoons, served as a battalion staff officer, and deployed to the Mexican border in support of Joint Task Force 6 and to Panama for Operation Safe Haven. He next served on the staff for 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas. In June 1998, he was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th U.S. Cavalry Regiment as a rifle company commander and later as a headquarters and headquarters company commander. He deployed with 2-5 Cavalry to Bosnia-Herzegovina in support of Operation Joint Forge. After advanced civil schooling, COL Jones served as a strategist on the Army Staff. In 2004, COL Jones was assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th U.S. Infantry, Fort Lewis, Washington as the battalion operations officer. He deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and conducted combat operations in Baghdad, Fallujah, and Mosul. Upon redeployment, COL Jones was assigned as the executive officer for 1-5 Infantry. In April 2006, he was assigned as the brigade S3 for 1st Brigade (SBCT), 25th Infantry Division. In June 2006, the brigade reflagged to the 2d Stryker Cavalry Regiment and restationed to Vilseck, Germany. COL Jones served as the Regimental Operations Officer until the summer of 2007 when he was assigned as the Regimental Executive Officer and deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He served as the Regimental Deputy Commanding Officer upon redeployment. COL Jones commanded 2d Squadron, 2d Stryker Cavalry Regiment from January 2009 to July 2011 and deployed to Afghanistan in support Operation Enduring Freedom.

COL Jones is a graduate of the Infantry Officer?s Basic Course, Infantry Officer?s Advanced Course, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, and Command and General Staff College. Additionally, he holds a bachelors degree in Operations Research from the U.S. Military Academy, a master?s degree in Public Administration from Harvard University, and a master?s degree in National Security Strategy from the National War College.

COL Jones? military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf clusters, and the Army Achievement medal with five oak leaf clusters. He has earned the Combat Infantryman?s Badge, the Ranger Tab, Air Assault Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, and Army Staff Identification Badge.