Posted on 06/10/2006 2:09:50 AM PDT by MinorityRepublican
Retiring sergeant major's service called `slam dunk' for military
Associated Press
FAYETTEVILLE - based at fort bragg He has the same self-confidence, the same cleanly shaven head, the same famous last name as his brother. But James Jordan has always been his own man.
While his younger brother, Michael, made history on the basketball court, James Jordan forged a distinguished career in a different uniform -- Army green.
Now he has retired after 31 years, one more than required because he chose to stay and accompany his unit on a yearlong tour of duty in Iraq.
"The Army was my life," he said recently. "That's why I dedicated myself to it. I felt I could be very successful in it. It didn't require me to be 6 foot. It just required me to be physically fit."
Jordan, who stands about 5 feet 7 inches and is 48, rose to become command sergeant major of the 35th Signal Brigade, the Army's only airborne signal brigade, based at Fort Bragg. That's the top job for an enlisted signal soldier.
"Jordan may be short in height when it comes to his brother, but, man, he scored a slam dunk every time as a sergeant major," said Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph Allen, the senior noncommissioned officer of Fort Bragg and the 18th Airborne Corps.
When Michael Jordan became an NBA star in the 1980s, his older brother had already spent about a decade in the military.
He asked himself a question: "OK, what are you going to be? Are you going to ride a coattail or are you going to keep doing like you are doing?"
There never really was much doubt for a man who learned his work ethic during summers in the farm fields of southeastern North Carolina.
"One of the first things I learned before I went into the Army was that I was the oldest of five kids," he said. "My mom told me, `You have to earn everything you get.' "
His troops' dedication to him was evident during a retirement ceremony at Fort Bragg April 13.
"Do you know that, even though Michael Jordan was out there, everybody was still in line to shake Sergeant Major Jordan's hand, not to pay homage to his brother," Allen said. "I thought that was so cool."
I was thinking there was a real family behind these two success stories. Thats the important part that the MSM and liberals gloss over. With a Mom and a Dad in the home children have a much better chance.
Wonderful story! In this era of "Celebrity Gods" comprised of singers, actors and athletes, I often asked: who was the valedictorian in Michael Jordan's high school class? Anyone know? Little did I know that away from the spotlight MJ's own brother was forging a magnificent career in the Army.
Have a great retirement, Mr. Jordan - you deserve it.
Standing tall and looking good.
HOORAH, CSM James Jordan!
I'm impressed.
Congratulations and Thank You, Mr. James Jordan.
31 years of service is actually 11 more years than required for retirement, not 1 as the article indicates.
I was going to point that out as well. Consider the lamestream media source.
I always liked Michael (even though his Mother was a Clinton supporter). I appreciate the fact that he refused to be used by the Democrats. Even though he may be a Dem, he respects the fact that a lot of his fans are not. I wish more celebrities would realize this.
Now after reading about his brother, I like his brother more. What a great family.
31 years of service.
I believe a command sergeant major may serve up to 35 years.
At 30 years you're eleigible for the max pension of 75% of your base salary. Continued service past that point results in no increase in pension benefits. I believe that's what they are referring to.
Congratulations to a well deserved and earned retirement. I hope the wind is always to your back. Thanks for your proud service and thank you for being a true American hero.
Uplifting.
GOD be with him and his family.
Don't forget Mr. Jordan.
IIRC he was the major influence on the kids. His murder was quite a shock (that's when Michael 1st retired).
The point most certainly wasn't made in the article. It must have been written by a journalist, not a reporter.
Michael Jordan is a money making machine, think of how easy it would have been for James to quit and live like a king being part of his brothers empire. He shows great character and committment.
I worked with (then) SSG Jordan in Korea, he was a great hard working NCO then and a looks like he still is! It's so nice to see that hard work and dedication still gets recognition.
"It seems Mrs. Jordan managed to raise two extraordinary individuals."
Well, at least one.
This could make a good tv movie-of-the-week. A story of one brother finding fame on the basketball court and the other finding honor on the battlefield.
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