Midshipman, 2nd Class Luke Jones

As the son of an IT professional and an estate planning attorney from Long Beach, California, Luke Jones may not seem a likely candidate for a Marine Corps commissioning program at the University of Idaho. However, Luke is heir to his family's tradition of service, growing up listening to stories of his grandfather, who was a Marine that fought in the Vietnam War.

His grandfather's experiences shaped Luke's goals and even his studies at the University of Idaho. "I believe the Marine Corps is more nurturing of the culture of toughness. I grew ecstatic about the idea of the Marine Corps, and every glimpse and experience I have had thus far has confirmed my excitement," said Luke.

The University of Idaho was a clear choice for the outdoors enthusiast. "I began looking at UI almost exclusively because of its location. I wanted a school with easy access to the wilderness. After coming to visit, I was sold on the school, staff, and the Naval ROTC unit as well."

Luke elected to major in International Studies and minor in History and Asian Studies while developing his proficiency in Mandarin. Correctly estimating the importance of our country's pacing conflict in the Pacific, he hopes this field of study will make him well-suited to serve his country in the decades ahead.

While Luke pledges a great deal of time to his studies, his Naval ROTC commitments, and spending time appreciating the outdoors, he is also dedicated to serving the community through both the Real Life Church and the Valor Club, a religious organization that serves active duty military, veterans, and officer candidates here at U of I.

This commitment to service before self characterizes Luke's approach to everything he does. Whether he is volunteering at a local church or leading and mentoring other midshipmen in the Naval ROTC unit as the Battalion Operations Officer of the self-appointed head of our professional reading program, he consistently puts the needs of others first.