The First Annual Gunners’ Symposium and
Gunner of the Year Award
August 30, 2021 Quantico, Virginia
Presented by
The Recon & Sniper Foundation
Hosted by
The National Museum of the Marine Corps
and Sponsored by
Galvion
6:00 pm
Reception/Cocktail Hour Museum Gallery Exhibits Open
7:00 pm
15-Minute Warning
7:15 pm
Opening remarks by GySgt Christopher Joliet, President of Recon & Sniper Foundation
Award Ceremony Hosted by Kristen Lomastro, President of Active Systems for Galvion and Gunner Matt Anderson
Closing Remarks by Gunner Chris Jones and GySgt Christopher Joliet
8:30 pm
Last Call
9:00 pm
Museum Closes
The Marine Corps Gunner
The United States Marine Corps Infantry Weapons Officers are Chief Warrant Officers that are weapons specialists knowledgeable in the tactical employment of all infantry weapons in the Marine Corps arsenal—all weapons organic to Marine infantry units. Gunners became the first warrant officers in the Marine Corps when Henry Lewis Hulbert was the first to pin on the Bursting Bombs on March 24th, 1917.
Since that time, the list of Marine Gunners has been short yet distinguished. Over the last 245 years, the Marine Corps has seen many advancements in task-organized equipment and weapons, as well as continued evolution in the tactics, techniques, and procedures required to employ those tools in combat effectively.
The “Gunner” is known throughout the Corps to be a practitioner in all things weapons-related. He is employed as the principal advisor to commanders at all levels, assisting in developing training plans and employment of organic weapons. Marines on the ground level can count on their Gunner to provide them with sage guidance on “the way of the gun.” During combat, the Gunner can be tasked to inspect fire plans to ensure organic fires are integrated and mutually supporting at the battalion level, perform other supervisory tasks at critical events, and command task-organized or provisional combat units.
Gunners are advisors on the MOS training requirements and development of all 0321 (Reconnaissance Man), 0313 (LAR), and 0369 (Infantry SNCOs). They have oversight of the unit’s ammunition allocation and annual weapons re-qualification programs. They accommodate all weapons organic to the Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF). It is safe to say that the Marine Corps Gunner is a significant component to why the Marines are respected worldwide for their unparalleled marksmanship and weapons employment capabilities.
The National Museum of the Marine Corps and
The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation
The Recon and Sniper Foundation is honored to have the opportunity to present the First Annual Gunner’s Symposium at the National Museum of the Marine Corps.
The NMMC is a lasting tribute to U.S. Marines--past, present, and future. Situated on a 135-acre site adjacent to Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, and under the command of the Marine Corps University, the Museum’s soaring design evokes the image of the flag raisers of Iwo Jima and beckons visitors to this 120,000 square-foot structure.
The Museum contains world-class interactive exhibits using the most innovative technology to surround its visitors with irreplaceable artifacts and immerse them in the sights and sounds of Marines in action.
The Museum is a public-private partnership between the U.S. Marine Corps and the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. The Foundation, established in 1979 as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, supports the historical programs of the Marine Corps in ways not possible through government funds.
The Foundation’s current primary mission is to secure the necessary funding to complete the construction of the National Museum of the Marine Corps. They also support the Museum’s volunteer and educational programs. It is essential for the heritage of our Marine Corps history and tradition to support the NMMC and the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. For more information on how you can support these efforts go to the website here.
The Gunner of the Year Award Recipient
Gunner Chris Jones
Gunner Chris Jones enlisted in the Marine Corps and attended Recruit Training at MCRD, San Diego, CA, in November of 1994. After graduating Recruit Training, Gunner Jones proceeded to Infantry Training Battalion (ITB) at Camp Pendleton, CA. Upon graduating from ITB, Gunner Jones checked into 2d Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division and served in Golf Company, 2/5, from May 1995 to January 1997.
Gunner Jones was screened and selected for Marine Security Guard duty and received orders to MSG School, Quantico, Virginia, in January 1997. Following MSG School, he was assigned to MSG Detachment, American Embassy, Madrid, Spain. In August of 1998, he was reassigned to MSG Detachment, American Embassy, Monrovia, Liberia, as the Assistant Detachment Commander, later to become the Detachment Commander.
After a successful tour on MSG Duty, Gunner Jones took orders to 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, NC. While serving in 1/8, Gunner Jones was assigned to Charlie Company, Weapons Company, and Headquarters & Service Company for four years.
Gunner Jones was reassigned to 2d Battalion, 8th Marines, where he served in Echo Company and Headquarters & Service Company for the next four years.
In April of 2007, he was reassigned to SOI East, Advanced Infantry Train- ing Company, and served as the Staff NCOIC of the Scout Sniper Basic Course. Gunner served at SOI until December of 2009, when he was selected to the Marine Gunner Program.
In January 2010, Gunner Jones attended The Basic School (TBS), Quantico, VA, and was commissioned as a Marine Gunner. Gunner Jones graduated TBS in May 2010 and attended Infantry Weapon’s Officer Course from May to September of 2010.
In October 2010, Gunner Jones was assigned to 2d, Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Twentynine Palms, CA, where he served successfully until March of 2014.
He was reassigned to 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA, serving as the Battalion Gunner until April 2016.
In May of 2016, Gunner Jones was assigned to the School of Infantry, West, Advanced Infantry Training Battalion. During this tour in April of 2017, Gunner Jones was selected for the prestigious Henry Hulbert Trophy for outstanding leadership.
In June of 2017, Gunner Jones was assigned to 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. He served for two years successfully supporting SP- MAGTF, several Service Level Exercises, and multiple Bi-Lateral Training Exercises.
In June of 2019, he received his final set of orders to MCRD-SD, WFTBN, Edson Range to be the Chief Range Officer and OIC of the MCRD Shooting Team, where he served until his recent retirement on April 30th, 2021.
During Gunner Jones’ 26+ year career, he participated in combat operations in Liberia, Iraq, Afghanistan. He served as a machine gunner, a scout sniper, and as a formal school instructor. Gunner Jones deployed in support of the 22nd, 26th, and 31st MEUs, and participated in JTF drug interdiction operations on the U.S. Southern Border with Mexico.
Gunner Jones currently serves as the Vice President of the Santa Margarita Gun Club. He is an avid competitive shooter for Team RSF while promoting organized competitive shooting sports for veterans and active-duty service members.
Gunner Jones’ personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation, second award, with “V” combat distinguishing device, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, third award, with “V” combat distinguishing device, Combat Action Ribbon, third award, Good Conduct Medal, sixth award, National Defense Medal, second award, Operation Iraqi Freedom Medal, second award, Operation Enduring Freedom Medal, second award, Global War of Terrorism Service Medal, Global War of Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, seventh award, Overseas Deployment Ribbon, second award, Marine Security Guard Ribbon, and NATO Service Medal. Gunner Jones is married to Hannah Bauman-Jones and has a 20-year-old son, Kyle.
A Message from this Year’s Title Sponsor
Galvion is incredibly proud to support the USMC Gunners and wishes to congratulate their first Gunners’ Award recipient, Gunner Chris Jones, on his outstanding achievement within the Marine Corps. To be individually recognized within such an elite group speaks volumes, and we want to thank you for your contributions.
Galvion exists to empower military missions around the world. Our Armor, Active Systems, and Platform Power divisions work independently as well as collaboratively to design, develop and deliver best-in-class, purpose-built solutions that enhance the agility and survivability of the modern warfighter.
Galvion’s Head Systems are built with the complexity of mod-ern-day operations in mind, striking the ideal balance of fit, form, and function. Galvion’s Active Systems extend soldier missions in the field with real-time power and data management solutions. Our Power, Charging, Power Management, and Data ecosystem of products integrate with common tech- nologies and systems in order to minimize weight, increase efficiency and enhance soldier lethality.
The Recon & Sniper Foundation would like to thank our sponsors Galvion Armor & Power Solutions, Aimpoint, and SAAB for sponsoring this event, as well as the National Museum of the Marine Corps and the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation for hosting us at the Museum.
We would also like to extend a special thanks to Gunner Chris Jones and his family.
Finally, to all of our donors and supporters, thank you so very much for your dedication to the RSF and its mission. Without you none of this could be possible.
The RSF has recently set up a fundraising hub to collect funds in support of the fallen warriors in kabul, Afghanistan. You can visit it at the following link for more information: