MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii -- Training brand new Marine scout snipers is a long, difficult process some instructors might find difficult. But Sgt. Andrew K. Jones does the job as if it were a hobby.
“I love my job,” said the 24-year-old Kirkland, Wash. native. “I love teaching these guys and training Marines to become snipers.”
A scout sniper instructor for 3rd Marine Regiment School, Jones joined the Marine Corps on Sept. 7, 1999, and began his training to become one of the Marine Corps’ scout snipers in 2001.
“My sergeant came in one day and asked me if I wanted to become a scout sniper,” said Jones. “And me, being the motivated lance corporal that I was at that time, said I would do it.”
Jones said he was training in the field one day when he received word that the United States had just been attacked. That day was Sept. 11, 2001.
Jones was sent to the Philippines to fight the Al Queda chapter located there.
“You don’t think of situations like that until they happen,” said Jones. “At first, you think that all the training you’re doing is kind of boring, but once combat situations like that happen, you realize that all the training works. What I have learned is that in combat situations you also become closer as a unit.”
Although Jones is now a Marine, he was originally on his way to becoming a soldier, but his father insisted on him becoming a Marine.
“I knew that I didn’t want to go to college, so I was all set on joining the Army,” he said.
“But when my dad talked to the recruiter, he told the recruiter that he wanted me to join the Marines. So the next day, the Army recruiter took me over to the Marine recruiter to talk to him, and the rest is history.”
Jones said that he chose the job of becoming a rifleman because he wanted to have fun and play in the dirt. Now, when Jones is not playing in the dirt, he spends time playing golf.
“It’s the only thing I can really do now, since I was married one year and seven months ago,” he said. “Golfing helps me relax and relieve my stress.”
Already father of a 1-year-old daughter, Jones said he is about to become a father for a second time in February with the birth of his second daughter.
Jones has trained in many schools to become the best he can be. He has been through Airborne Jump school, Urban Sniper training, Urban Reconnaissance Surveillance School, Advance Sniper training, and Scout Sniper Platoon Commander School.
Jones said his next challenge will be becoming a recruiter in April, which he said he had to get a waiver to become.
“I was disqualified for recruiting duty at first,” he said. “I was disqualified because you’re only allowed two dependents to become a recruiter. And by the time April rolls around, I will have three.”
Though Jones will be on recruiting duty next year, he said that his heart will always be out in the field with the Marines he trains with.
“It’s always important to stay true to your Marines,” he said. “Always trust them in times of need, because it’s unbelievable how close you will become in times of death.”