Story by Sgt. Lerone Simmons, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
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Newly promoted Brig. Gen. Charles T. Jones, Kentucky Assistant Adjutant General, watches as his grandson Brooks O'Neal, pins on his epaulet during the promotion ceremony at the Boone National Guard Center, Frankfort, Ky. July 17, 2015. (Kentucky National Guard photo by Olivia Burton)
FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Family, friends, honored guests, and colleagues gathered at the Billy G. Wellman Armory on Boone National Guard Center to commemorate the promotion of Col. Charles T. Jones to the rank of Brigadier General, July 17, 2015.
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Family, honored-guests, collegues and friends gathered to observe newly promoted Brig. Gen. Charles T. Jones' promotion ceremony at the Billy G. Wellman Armory, Boone National Guard Center, Frankfort, Ky. July 17, 2015. Jones currently serves as the Assistant Adjutant General of the Kentucky National Guard. (Kentucky National Guard photo by Sgt. Lerone Simmons)
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Brooks O'Neal salutes his grandfather. Brig. Gen. Charles Jones during his promotion ceremony in Frankfort, Ky., July 17, 2015. (Photo by Olivia Burton)
“This is a tremendous opportunity to be able to continue to affect change in the lives Soldiers,” said Jones. “I am truly blessed.” Jones said he owes much of his success to hard work and support of his family. “Hard work is what got me here, and that’s what I’ll continue to do.”
Click here for more photos. His wife Linda, daughter Brandi, and eight-year-old grandson Brooks O’Neal, accompanied him at the ceremony. Brooks took part in the promotion ceremony by pinning the epaulet rank on his grandfather’s uniform.As one of the honored guests, Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini, Kentucky Adjutant General welcomed Jones to the command staff and expressed his confidence in the newly promoted brigadier general.
“In my mind, he’s a Soldier’s Soldier,” said Tonini. “I am tremendously comfortable having him across the office as deputy adjutant general. I know when I leave, the Guard will be in the best possible hands.”
Jones first commissioned in 1981 through the Kentucky Military Academy Officer Candidate Program and was also prior enlisted with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry Brigade. He is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, serving from 2006 to 2007 as commander, 149th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and Garrison Commander Contingency Operations Base Spiecher as part of the 101st Airborne Division and the 25th Infantry Division as part of Multination Division North.