Rear Admiral Jeffery "Scott" Jones

Rear Adm. Jones, a native of Florida, initially enlisted in the Navy in 1974. Following his enlistment, he graduated from Florida State University and, subsequently, attended Officer Candidate School receiving his commission in 1982.

Following commissioning, Jones served aboard USS Hepburn (FF 1055) as main propulsion assistant. Following this tour he was assigned as engineering officer on USS Joseph Hewes (FF 1078) and USS Semmes (DDG 18). In 1991, he joined Fleet Training Group in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, as both propulsion training and international training officer until 1992 when he received orders as commanding officer, USS Guardian (MCM 5) in 1993. While in command of Guardian, the ship was forward deployed to Sasebo, Japan, during which time the crew exchanged with, and he assumed command of USS Devastator (MCM 6). Following these command tours, he attended Naval War College. Upon graduation, he reported to U.S. Atlantic Command's (USACOM) Joint Operation Planning and Execution System Division, and served as a member of the USACOM's Deployable Joint Task Force Augmentation Cell detaching in July 1999.

Jones assumed command of USS Hawes (FFG 53) in November 1999. During their 2000 deployment, Hawes was assigned to participate in Mediterranean and independent Black Sea operations before engaging in Maritime Interdiction Operations in the Arabian Gulf. Hawes was the first U.S. Navy ship to respond to and assist USS Cole (DDG 67) in Aden, Yemen, where he was assigned as sea combatant commander for the duration of Operation Determined Response. Following this third command, he was named the 2001 recipient of the Vice Admiral James Bond Stockdale Award for Inspirational Leadership.

Reporting to OPNAV in August 2001, Jones served as deputy for Warfare Assessments and Analysis Division of N81 and was subsequently selected to lead the Warfare Integration Branch N70. He detached and assumed command of USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) in August 2004, and was part of the first responders to the Indonesian tsunami crisis. Detaching in 2005, he served as executive assistant to the commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command until July 2007 when he assumed command of Surface Warfare Officers School Command. Jones served as director, Coalition Naval Advisory Training Team (Iraq) between September 2009 and January 2011, before reporting to his current position as commander, Amphibious Force 7th Fleet.

Jones' personal awards include the Legion of Merit (Four Awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal (Two Awards), Meritorious Service Medal (Two Awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (Two Awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (Two Awards), and other service medals and ribbons.