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.
Way to go Major Jordan!
Actually, it’s Command Sergeant Major Jordan (an E-9, vs. a Major. an O-4).
No it’s CSM (Command Sergeant Major) Jordan
Isn’t that what I just said (minus the acronym)?
You are both idiots.
You are both idiots.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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…
I think that all of you need to read the story again because you obviously missed its point.
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
I was with the 35th Sig Brigade from ‘02-’06. Not many people in the Brigade at that time cared for him, myself included. He always seemed a little arrogant. I was always told he was MJ’s older bro but CSM Jordan never admitted to it in front of soldiers, maybe he was trying to keep things professional as far as the military is concerned, I don’t know. Anyway, he served an honorable 31 years and even though I didn’t care for him it’s great that he did such a great service for our country!