Rhys Jones (soldier)
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant General
Richard Rhys Jones (born 2 May 1960) is the current Chief of the New Zealand Defence Force.
, the son of Methodist minister Alan Jones and the youngest in a family of nine, six in his immediate family plus three half-brothers including writer Owen Marshall Jones.
He is a former pupil of Wanganui Boys' College.
in Canberra from 1979 to 1982, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in politics. In December 1982, he entered the Royal New Zealand Armoured Corps
at the rank of lieutenant. He then spent nine years at Waiouru Army Camp
followed by ten years intermittently in Australia. He was posted to the Middle East as an observer with the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation, and with the Observer Group Lebanon as an operations officer.
Jones is a 1992 graduate of the United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth
, and was inducted into the USACGSC International Hall of Fame in October 2010. He attended the higher defence college at the Australian Defence College
, completed a Master of Arts in Strategic Studies at La Trobe University
, and has a Diploma in Qualitative Futures.
In 2000, he had "some disagreements with the chief of army at that time" over armoured vehicles, was sent away to Australia and told he would receive no further promotions, but was later brought back. By 2005 he was a Colonel at Burnham Military Camp. Jones was promoted from Brigadier to Major General in October 2007 and appointed Commander of Joint Forces New Zealand after serving as the Land Component Commander. On 1 May 2009, he succeeded Major General Lou Gardiner as the Chief of Army.
Prime Minister John Key
announced on 6 December 2010 that Jones would be the next Chief of the New Zealand Defence Force
, appointing him for a three-year term rather than the usual five in order to monitor progress in a major review of defence force spending. The appointment commenced on 24 January 2011.
Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General....
Richard Rhys Jones (born 2 May 1960) is the current Chief of the New Zealand Defence Force.
Early life
Jones was born in in TimaruTimaru
TimaruUrban AreaPopulation:27,200Extent:Former Timaru City CouncilTerritorial AuthorityName:Timaru District CouncilPopulation:42,867 Land area:2,736.54 km² Mayor:Janie AnnearWebsite:...
, the son of Methodist minister Alan Jones and the youngest in a family of nine, six in his immediate family plus three half-brothers including writer Owen Marshall Jones.
He is a former pupil of Wanganui Boys' College.
Career
Jones enlisted with the New Zealand Army in December 1978, and attended the Royal Military College, DuntroonRoyal Military College, Duntroon
The Royal Military College, Duntroon is the Australian Army's officer training establishment. It was founded at Duntroon, in the Australian Capital Territory, in 1911 and is situated on picturesque grounds at the foot of Mount Pleasant near Lake Burley Griffin, close to the Department of Defence...
in Canberra from 1979 to 1982, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in politics. In December 1982, he entered the Royal New Zealand Armoured Corps
Royal New Zealand Armoured Corps
The Royal New Zealand Armoured Corps is the overall umbrella grouping of Regular Force and Territorial Force units equipped with armoured vehicles in the New Zealand Army. The corps was formed in 1942 as the New Zealand Armoured Corps, before being given the Royal prefix in 1947...
at the rank of lieutenant. He then spent nine years at Waiouru Army Camp
Waiouru Army Camp
The Waiouru Army Camp is a base of the New Zealand Army in the central North Island near Waiouru.Waiouru is often referred to by soldiers as the home of the army as it houses the army marae and is the base where all New Zealand Army soldiers complete their initial basic training called All Arms...
followed by ten years intermittently in Australia. He was posted to the Middle East as an observer with the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation, and with the Observer Group Lebanon as an operations officer.
Jones is a 1992 graduate of the United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth
Fort Leavenworth
Fort Leavenworth is a United States Army facility located in Leavenworth County, Kansas, immediately north of the city of Leavenworth in the upper northeast portion of the state. It is the oldest active United States Army post west of Washington, D.C. and has been in operation for over 180 years...
, and was inducted into the USACGSC International Hall of Fame in October 2010. He attended the higher defence college at the Australian Defence College
Australian Defence College
The Australian Defence College comprises three tri-service educational organisations operated by the Australian Defence Force in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory:* the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies ,...
, completed a Master of Arts in Strategic Studies at La Trobe University
La Trobe University
La Trobe University is a multi-campus university in Victoria, Australia. It was established in 1964 by an Act of Parliament to become the third oldest university in the state of Victoria. The main campus of La Trobe is located in the Melbourne suburb of Bundoora; two other major campuses are...
, and has a Diploma in Qualitative Futures.
In 2000, he had "some disagreements with the chief of army at that time" over armoured vehicles, was sent away to Australia and told he would receive no further promotions, but was later brought back. By 2005 he was a Colonel at Burnham Military Camp. Jones was promoted from Brigadier to Major General in October 2007 and appointed Commander of Joint Forces New Zealand after serving as the Land Component Commander. On 1 May 2009, he succeeded Major General Lou Gardiner as the Chief of Army.
Prime Minister John Key
John Key
John Phillip Key is the 38th Prime Minister of New Zealand, in office since 2008. He has led the New Zealand National Party since 2006....
announced on 6 December 2010 that Jones would be the next Chief of the New Zealand Defence Force
New Zealand Defence Force
The New Zealand Defence Force consists of three services: the Royal New Zealand Navy; the New Zealand Army; and the Royal New Zealand Air Force. The Commander-in-Chief of the NZDF is His Excellency Rt. Hon...
, appointing him for a three-year term rather than the usual five in order to monitor progress in a major review of defence force spending. The appointment commenced on 24 January 2011.
Medal ribbons
Jones' medal ribbons, as they would appear on the left breast of a uniform, are:- New Zealand Operational Service MedalNew Zealand Operational Service MedalThe New Zealand Operational Service Medal is a New Zealand campaign medal for award to New Zealanders who have served on operations since 3 September 1945. The medal was instituted in 2002 to provide specific New Zealand recognition for operational service. It is awarded in addition to any New...
, UNIFIL Medal, UNTSO Medal, New Zealand Armed Forces Award