57th Veteran of the Quarter, Maurica Riker-Jones
December 19, 2024
Nomination By: Kathy McAllister
Maurica Riker-Jones enlisted in the United States Army Reserve (USAR) on August, 29, 1979. After Basic Training, she entered USAR Officer Training at Pittsburg State University, in Pittsburg, Kansas. During her tenure with the Supply and Service Company, Riker-Jones performed as a Cook, Trainer, and Logistics Specialist.
In 1982, Riker-Jones was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in a Medical Company (CLR) that served the 82nd Airborne and participated in Gallant Eagle, the largest airdrop of American soldiers since WWII. The same year, she entered active duty as a Field Artillery Officer assigned to Ft. Sill Oklahoma. In 1985, she returned to the USAR in Kansas where she performed as Mobilization Officer, Platoon Leader, Detachment Commander and Company Commander. The unit performed two, Hands On Training (HOT) missions, Class II, IV, and VII and Class III package Petroleum, Oil, Lubricants (POL) which supported USAR and active units. The unit was chosen to participate in Reforger and Operation Bright Star. During her tenure as Company Commander, the unit received the Phillip A. Connelly Food Service Award, as well as the Maintenance Excellence Award.
In 1989, Riker-Jones went to Headquarters as an Operations Officer. She returned to active service in support of the Combat Training Center program (CTC), encompassing the National Training Center (NTC) in Ft. Irwin, California as well as the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) at Ft. Chaffee, Arkansas and CMTC, Federal Republic of Germany (FRG). During her time at Headquarters, she developed the USAR Observer Controller Training Program used by both NTC and JRTC. Riker-Jones participated at NTC with the First Infantry Division on multiple rotations and served as the MSB (Main Support Battalion) HHD Commander and the S1. During her active-duty service, she spent time in Germany as well as Southwest Asia.
In 1993, she went to the 89th USARCOM as a member of a three-person team to expand the USAR participation in CTC rotations. She returned to the USAR as the S2/3 of a Transportation Battalion.
In 1995, Riker- Jones left active service and went to work as a civilian. She transferred to Ft. Leavenworth as a Training Specialist for the Battle Command Training Center (BCTC). After the unit dissolved, she went to Ft. Detrick, Maryland as a Cyber Security Specialist. She led a team of contract specialists in support of worldwide, state-of-the-art training facilities. Each BCTC was built in accordance with the latest training simulations to support the local units in a secure manner. Riker-Jones returned to Kansas in 2012 to the Network Enterprise Center at Ft. Riley.
Riker-Jones retired from military service on August 4, 2004, after nearly 25 years. She retired from civil service in December 2015, after more than 20 years of service.
Riker-Jones service awards/ decorations and accolades include Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon.
After retirement, Riker-Jones moved to Lampe, Missouri with her husband, Thomas Jones. When not out on Table Rock Lake with friends and family, she volunteers with local veterans and friends. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Veterans of the Ozarks and the Kimberling Area Senior Center. She is a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Reserve Officer Association, and Federally Employed Women, as well as a member of Neighbors and Friends of Table Rock Lake. She recently began training Gatekeepers for a National Suicide Prevention program, known as “Question, Persuade, Refer” (QPR) and is always looking for ways to further support her military and local communities.
Veterans are chosen by a panel of peers. To nominate a local Veteran for the Branson Bank Veteran of the Quarter, please visit: www.bransonbank.com or stop by any Branson Bank location to pick up a Nomination Form.
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