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The Other Jordan

Have you ever heard of Michael Jordan? You know, the 6′ 6″ basketball player from the University of North Carolina who led the Chicago Bulls to 6 NBA Championships? The league’s MVP 5 times?

Of course you have. Unless you have been sharing a cave with Bin Laden for the last 15 years. Even then, you’ve probably still heard of him.

Have you ever heard of James R. Jordan? The 5′ 7″ Command Sergeant Major from Ft. Bragg, NC?

Probably not.

CSM Jordan’s unit (the The 35th Signal Brigade, Corps, Airborne) is being deployed to Iraq. The CSM is approaching his 30th anniversary in the US Army. However, the CSM has asked to stay in the Army for a year beyond his mandatory retirement date so he can complete a full yearlong deployment to Iraq with about 500 other members of the 35th Signal Brigade.

“We are currently at war,” Jordan said before the unit started shipping out Sunday. “We are doing things, and it requires leaders to do certain things. That’s what I am, a leader.”

Indeed.

By any measure, CSM Jordan is an extraordinary man; a selfless hero in a profession that requires nothing less and so much more.

That you have never heard of him is what’s truly remarkable. Because he’s the older brother of Michael Jordan.

Jordan is a no-nonsense noncommissioned officer with a shaved head and a wry sense of humor. He stands 5-foot-7, while his younger brother is about 6-foot-6. As the senior enlisted soldier in the brigade of 2,450 soldiers, he has kept a low profile at Fort Bragg and avoided calling attention to his family connection.

For at least the last 20 years, he’s avoided calling attention to his family connection.

I have a brother who is currently in his 15th year in the US Army. I know if I had the type of wealth and fortune that MJ has earned, my brother would never have to worry about the dangers and low pay inherent in the life of an NCO in the US Army.

That CSM Jordan didn’t take the easy way out, and instead has lived by his convictions and true sense of self is even more deserving of respect.

“I’ve been doing this by myself for so long, being my own person, being my own soldier,” he said. “I’m going to continue doing it the same way until the day I feel like I need to hang it up, not when they feel like I need to hang it up.”

Thank you, CSM Jordan.

Posted by Robbie Cooper on Monday, November 29th, 2004 | Trackback |

14 Responses to “The Other Jordan”

Way to go Major Jordan!

Left by Jake on December 1st, 2004 at 2:42 am

Actually, it’s Command Sergeant Major Jordan (an E-9, vs. a Major. an O-4).

Left by Robbie on December 13th, 2004 at 6:52 pm

No it’s CSM (Command Sergeant Major) Jordan

Left by Marty J. Cooper on December 15th, 2004 at 10:38 pm

Isn’t that what I just said (minus the acronym)?

Left by Robbie on December 16th, 2004 at 8:48 am

You are both idiots.

Left by Joe on January 25th, 2005 at 3:55 am

You are both idiots.

Left by Joe on January 25th, 2005 at 3:55 am

That’s nice, Anonymous Joe. And it only took you two attempts to figure out how to use the Comment tool?

I see that you chimed in from a DoD Network Information Center server. Which branch? Oh, and thanks for stopping by and contributing to the dialog.

Left by Robbie on January 25th, 2005 at 9:07 am

Yeah, goo ol’ JJ. He’s called the triple threat in the 35th. I don’t know why. I’ve tried to talk to him about Micheal when he sat next to me at the doctor’s office. He said it was a bunch of bull, and he asked me who told me that. I know the truth, though. He’s got MJ stuff all over his office. I heard once that MJ even bought him a car dealership in a nearby city of Hoep Mills or Chapel Hill. Can’t remember which.

Left by Valente on March 16th, 2005 at 3:00 pm

He [CSM Joran] said it was a bunch of bull, and he asked me who told me that. I know the truth, though.

CSM Jordan said what was a ‘bunch of bull’ when you asked him? That he was in fact Michael Jordan’s brother? Maybe you were talking to the wrong Jordan at the TMC.

Are you a Soldier in the 35th Signal Brigade? Or a different unit at Ft. Bragg?

Left by Robbie on March 16th, 2005 at 6:30 pm

Yes, it was the same JJ. I only have one CSM named Jordan. Yes, I’m in the 35th. I’m on rear det. Medical condition. He’ll never admit in person who his little brother is.

Left by Valente on March 16th, 2005 at 7:40 pm

What Valente said is true. I served under him for six years. It was an on going joke to send new pvt’s to him to see what he would say. Hey was and always will be a great mentor and outstanding leader. I have a letter or recommendation signed by him that I keep. I keep it not because of who his brother is but because of who he is and how he has influenced me.

Left by beatle on March 30th, 2005 at 5:46 am

He has the picture with his bro in his office. Oh, and how about his black corvette. The one his brother won as MVP in one of his many all star appearances. He gave it to the CSM…. Do I know the guy or what…

Left by pr_jumpmaster on April 19th, 2005 at 1:33 pm

I think that all of you need to read the story again because you obviously missed its point.

Left by Anonymous on January 31st, 2006 at 1:56 pm

I had the honor to serve with CSM Jordan during my younger days at Fort Carson CO. we even shot some basketball together but I didn’t believe him when he said the MJ was his baby brother. NOW I BELIEVE some 2o+years later.

Thanks Mr. Clark

Left by Mr. Clark on April 30th, 2008 at 7:28 pm

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