| Special to the Enquirer

Manquez F. Jones has been commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force after graduating from Officer Training School (OTS) at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery.

The 12-week officer procurement program is designed to train students in leadership studies, instruction and application, communications skills, professional knowledge and studies, management and officer skills, team building, military studies and international security, physical fitness training, and an air expeditionary forces field training deployment exercise. Classroom lectures, readings, discussions, exercises and additional training activities combine to provide students with a broad and in-depth understanding of their role as Air Force officers.

After graduation, officers attend a career specialty technical training program to further develop their leadership and professional skills as Air Force officers. Technical training areas include pilot, navigation, and air battle management; space and missile operations; and several support-oriented career fields.

Jones is the son of Johnny B. and Terri L. Jones of Hartselle.

He is a 2009 graduate of Hartselle High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in 2014 from the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.