Northeast Community College Defensive football coach and former Soldier Dustin Jones works with his team prior to the Army appreciation game.
Army Values Come First in Football
Story and photos by Jennifer Villaume, USAREC, Baton Rouge Battalion
Dec. 9, 2014
Before Northeast Community College’s annual Army appreciation football game against Northeast Mississippi Community College in Booneville, Mississippi, football coach Dustin Jones, a former Soldier, gave his players a pep talk that emphasized Army Values, teamwork, and resiliency.
“I want to continue to work alongside the Army in any and every way I can,” Jones said. “It is important to show student-athletes that there are more important things in life than just football. It's important that we commend and say thank you to the men and women who wear our nation's uniform, and that we recognize the veterans in our local communities and honor them as much as possible. Not because I'm a veteran, but because we are lucky to live in the greatest country in the world, and these men and women are the reasons why.”
Jones was awarded two Army Commendation Medals (ARCOM) with Valor and the Bronze Star for his actions during the liberation of Iraq in 2003. Part of Delta Troop, 10th Calvary Regiment, Jones was medically discharged in 2007 due to injuries he sustained from a roadside IED.
Adding further motivation, Jones also told the athletes his personal story about why he enlisted after 9-11.
“As their eyes were glued on me, I knew that I had their undivided attention,” Jones said. “Most of them had heard stories in classes, but had never heard someone who they knew and respected, give them a first-hand account of what they witnessed, endured and accomplished while being deployed. The keys points I wanted to push home were 'team work' and the Army core values.”
Jones took questions about his deployments and experiences as a Soldier.
“Their reaction brought tears to my eyes as each one of them gave me a standing ovation after my speech,” he said. “Each one came by and shook my hand telling me that ‘This one is for you tonight, coach.’”
Jones invited the Tupelo Recruiting Center to have dinner with the football team prior to the start of the game. Staff Sgt. Justin Isolene gave the invocation, and recruiters engaged students, parents, and educators during the game.
“Veterans came to the tent to show their support and tell their stories,” said Sgt. 1st Class Robert Young. “Recruiters motivated crowd though pull-up competitions, and talked about the education, opportunities and benefits available through the Army. Prospects were open to suggestions and wanted to hear more.”
Down 12-0 at halftime, Jones told his players they were still in the game. After promising to win the game for Jones, NEMCC overcame a 19-point deficient to win 25-19 in overtime.
“What an awesome feeling,” Jones said.
Young said having Jones as a coach at the college is an asset for recruiting.
“Coach Jones is an inspiration to the students and athletes,” said Young. “It motivates students when they find out that an authority figure was a former service member. It inspires them to seek their opinions and points-of-view outside of what recruiters and their families tell them about Army service.
“Jones really makes his presence on campus felt by all. His support and dedication for the Army and recruiting efforts was really seen on game night.”
Story and photos by Jennifer Villaume, USAREC, Baton Rouge Battalion
Dec. 9, 2014
Before Northeast Community College’s annual Army appreciation football game against Northeast Mississippi Community College in Booneville, Mississippi, football coach Dustin Jones, a former Soldier, gave his players a pep talk that emphasized Army Values, teamwork, and resiliency.
“I want to continue to work alongside the Army in any and every way I can,” Jones said. “It is important to show student-athletes that there are more important things in life than just football. It's important that we commend and say thank you to the men and women who wear our nation's uniform, and that we recognize the veterans in our local communities and honor them as much as possible. Not because I'm a veteran, but because we are lucky to live in the greatest country in the world, and these men and women are the reasons why.”
Jones was awarded two Army Commendation Medals (ARCOM) with Valor and the Bronze Star for his actions during the liberation of Iraq in 2003. Part of Delta Troop, 10th Calvary Regiment, Jones was medically discharged in 2007 due to injuries he sustained from a roadside IED.
Adding further motivation, Jones also told the athletes his personal story about why he enlisted after 9-11.
“As their eyes were glued on me, I knew that I had their undivided attention,” Jones said. “Most of them had heard stories in classes, but had never heard someone who they knew and respected, give them a first-hand account of what they witnessed, endured and accomplished while being deployed. The keys points I wanted to push home were 'team work' and the Army core values.”
Jones took questions about his deployments and experiences as a Soldier.
“Their reaction brought tears to my eyes as each one of them gave me a standing ovation after my speech,” he said. “Each one came by and shook my hand telling me that ‘This one is for you tonight, coach.’”
Jones invited the Tupelo Recruiting Center to have dinner with the football team prior to the start of the game. Staff Sgt. Justin Isolene gave the invocation, and recruiters engaged students, parents, and educators during the game.
“Veterans came to the tent to show their support and tell their stories,” said Sgt. 1st Class Robert Young. “Recruiters motivated crowd though pull-up competitions, and talked about the education, opportunities and benefits available through the Army. Prospects were open to suggestions and wanted to hear more.”
Down 12-0 at halftime, Jones told his players they were still in the game. After promising to win the game for Jones, NEMCC overcame a 19-point deficient to win 25-19 in overtime.
“What an awesome feeling,” Jones said.
Young said having Jones as a coach at the college is an asset for recruiting.
“Coach Jones is an inspiration to the students and athletes,” said Young. “It motivates students when they find out that an authority figure was a former service member. It inspires them to seek their opinions and points-of-view outside of what recruiters and their families tell them about Army service.
“Jones really makes his presence on campus felt by all. His support and dedication for the Army and recruiting efforts was really seen on game night.”
Tupelo Company Commander Capt. Aaron Bryant poses with the Army Strong NEMCC cheer squad before the Army appreciation game.