Gurnee native finds Navy service to be 'a foundation to life'

By Lt. Jill Brown, Navy Office of Community Outreach

A Gurnee native is serving with the U.S. Navy's cutting-edge maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft squadron in Jacksonville, Florida.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Bj'hon Jones joined the Navy four years ago. Today, Jones serves as a yeoman.

"My parents inspired me to join the Navy," Jones said. "Originally, I was going to join the Army because my father had served in the Army."

Jones serves with Patrol Squadron Sixteen, a high-tech maritime patrol and reconnaissance squadron tasked with monitoring the world's oceans in the state-of-the-art P-8A "Poseidon."

Growing up in Gurnee, Jones attended Warren Township High School and graduated in 2017. Today, Jones finds the values in Gurnee similar to those needed to succeed in the military.

"Keep going and don't give up," Jones said. "People around me back in my high school had to keep going."

These lessons have helped Jones while serving in the Navy supporting the P-8 Poseidon mission.

The P-8 Poseidon mission is to conduct maritime patrol and reconnaissance, as well as long-range anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare and intelligence gathering missions. They deploy around the globe to monitor the world's oceans wherever they are needed.

Serving in the Navy means Jones is part of a world that is taking on new importance in America's focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.

"We train and prepare for real-life events that could happen," Jones said.

There are many accomplishments that come with military service, and Jones is most proud of earning a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for being selected as the Blue Jacket of the Year.

"I was a wild card and didn't feel like I would be selected," Jones said. "Being selected made me feel good about myself, and it was a confidence booster to be nominated."

As Jones and other sailors continue to train, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.

"This was a steppingstone to carry on and gives me more understanding of the real world," added Jones. "It's my first job ever and a foundation to life. I plan to stay in the Navy."

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