Honoring our Great-Hearted Veterans: Donald Jones

On this Veteran’s Day, we are privileged to count among our faculty and staff the men and women who have worn the uniform of our nation’s armed forces. Their courage, discipline, and devotion to service embody the same virtues we cultivate in the minds and hearts of our students.

Donald J. (DJ) Jones is the Athletic Director for Maryvale Prep but has previously taught at Trivium Prep. “I joined the US Army straight out of high school in August 1993 and went to Ft. Knox, KY for M1A1 Armor Crewman One Station Unit Training (OSUT), expecting an 18-week cycle.”

Due to unrest in Mogadishu, Jones completed an accelerated 16-week training cycle and served 4.5 years at Fort Riley, Kansas, with the 1st Infantry and 1st Armored Divisions as a tank crewman. After transferring to Fort Lewis, Washington, he helped develop doctrine for the Army’s new “Stryker” Brigades and later became a Drill Sergeant, earning top honors and multiple awards for excellence. He then served at Fort Leavenworth developing digital battlefield systems before deploying to Afghanistan in 2007, where he trained Afghan Border Police and earned the Bronze Star and Combat Action Badge. Following his deployment, he coordinated troop movements at Fort Bliss, Texas, and later returned to tank duty with the 1st Armored Division, deploying to Iraq in 2011 and helping lead the final withdrawal of U.S. forces. He retired as a First Sergeant in 2013 after 20 years of service, earning numerous medals and commendations for leadership and valor.

“I am very detail oriented, and I believe in taking care of the little things,” explained Jones. “If you learn to do the little things the big things will take care of themselves. My military career has also allowed me to become more of a big picture person. I am able to see things from a broader perspective that I feel sometimes others cannot see.”

Jones said he believes the values and the vision of Great Hearts are what drew him here. “They align so well with how I lived in the military. Being able to instill these qualities in today’s youth before they get into the world – I believe only makes them stronger and more prepared to be leaders.”

On behalf of the entire Great Hearts community, we extend our deepest gratitude to all who have served. Your courage in defense of our country and your continued commitment to forming young hearts and minds inspire us daily. Thank you for living out the virtues that make both a great citizen and a great educator.

Do you have a story or know of one that you would like to see featured at Great Hearts? Please contact jmoore@greatheartsamerica.org.

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