JUNIOR OFFICER - Key Persons
COL Jordon Swain is an Associate Professor and the Director of the Center for Junior Officers (CJO) at the United States Military Academy. He graduated from West Point in 1999 (with honors) with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Leadership. He holds a MBA from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, as well as both a MA and a PhD in Organizations and Management from Yale University Jordon's research interests focus on humility and various aspects of leader development. Jordon loves to surf, travel, and teach. He has two wonderful daughters who are slowly learning to share his passion for the game of golf. When they're not at the beach, the golf course, or drawing at the kitchen table, Jordon and his girls enjoy geocaching and exploring our nation's national parks and monuments (they've been to over 60 so far). COL Swain has served in a variety of command and staff assignments both in the continental United States and overseas. He served as a platoon leader with the 532d Military Intelligence Battalion in the Republic of Korea and as a Battalion S2 and Company Executive Officer for the 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat) (Airborne) both at Fort Bragg, NC and in Kosovo. As a Captain, Jordon commanded the Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 513th Military Intelligence Brigade at Fort Gordon, GA. He later commanded a Counterintelligence Detachment in Iraq with elements in Kirkuk, Tikrit, Mosul and Baghdad. From 2008-2011, COL Swain served in the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership at West Point where he taught both leadership and marketing. Following his time at West Point, Jordon served as the Counterintelligence Branch Chief for the 500th Military Intelligence Brigade and later as the Operations Officer and Executive Officer for the 205th Military Intelligence Battalion in Hawaii. COL Swain acted as the Program Director for West Point's Military Leadership Course from 2017-2019 and as the Director of Strategy and Innovation in the Army's Enterprise Marketing Officer in Chicago from 2019-2020. Jordon is a graduate of U.S. Army's Airborne and Air Assault Schools, as well as the U.S. Navy's Salvage Diver Course. He is also a recipient of several awards including the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, and the Military Intelligence Branch's Knowlton Award. ...
Lieutenant Colonel Mark Erwin is an Army Reserve officer assigned to the Center for Junior Officers. Prior to this position, Mark served as an instructor with the Department of Behavioral Sciences & Leadership teaching Military Leadership for three years. Mark's other Army Reserve assignments include operational positions with the State Department Bureau of Counterterrorism and the Joint Staff J2 supporting active-duty units. After receiving his commission in 2005, Mark served on active duty for six years, including a 15-month deployment to Iraq as a Scout Platoon Leader in OIF 06-08, before transitioning to the Reserves. Mark's civilian career involves over seven years in the federal government, which began at the White House as a Program Examiner in the National Security Division in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Mark also worked at the Department of Veterans Affairs as an Advisor to VA Secretary Bob McDonald in 2015-2016. Mark is now the Director of a leadership program at a high school in Washington DC. Mark is a 2005 graduate of West Point. He also holds a Masters' degree in Public Administration from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University. He lives in northern Virginia with his wife and children. ... show more
Job Titles:
- Operations Officer
- Junior Officers
MAJ James Watson is the Operations Officer for the Center for Junior Officers (CJO) at the United States Military Academy. He is a 2013 Graduate of the United States Military Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Law. He holds a Master's Degree in Organizational Psychology from Columbia University. He is married to his lovely (and understanding) wife Michelle. They have a two year old daughter whose favorite word is "outside." MAJ Watson was previously assigned as the deployed Commander for the 24th Composite Supply Company, in support of 1st TSC. Prior to that assignment, he served as the S3 and Deputy SPO for the 13th CSSB, Joint Base Lewis McChord. As a Lieutenant, he served as a Company XO, Platoon Leader and Maintenance Control Officer for the 1-16th Infantry (Iron Rangers) 1 ABCT, 1 ID out of Fort Riley KS. During this assignment he deployed in support of Operation Spartan Shield and later Operation Inherent Resolve. He is a 2013 graduate of the Ordnance BOLC and 2017 Logistics CCC. ... show more
Tom joined the CJO Team in January 2008, shortly after he left the Army after 26 fulfilling years. He was an NCO for his first nine years and then graduate from OCS in 1991. His assignments include Germany (x2), Southern Illinois University ROTC Cadre, Iraq, and the United States Military Academy where he taught computer science in the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) Department and he finished his military career as the USCC S6. Tom enjoys all things code-related, SCUBA diving, and spending time with his wife and three grandsons. ... show more