Seasons of a Leader: Command Sgt. Maj. Waterhouse's Story of Resilience

A Path to Purpose
As Command Sergeant Major Jon Montague Waterhouse Jr. prepares for his Change of Responsibility serving as the battalion command sergeant major of the 503D Military Police Battalion (Airborne), he reflects not just on the challenges of his military career but the profound impact of leadership, resilience, and commitment to his Soldiers. Hailing from the small city of Yucaipa, California, Waterhouse’s path began with a desire for direction and discipline, leading him to enlist in the Army and ultimately shape his destiny.

After high school and a rebellious stint while attending community college, where he felt he was "going nowhere fast," Waterhouse made a pivotal decision. “I told my brother that I didn’t like where life was heading,” he recalled. “So, we went to the recruiter.” With a determination to become a Military Police officer stationed in Germany, Waterhouse embarked on his military career, not knowing the challenges and triumphs that lay ahead.

Turning Point in Life

His early years were filled with a series of deployments, from peacekeeping missions in Kosovo to the harsh realities of combat in Iraq. "My first real combat deployment was intense and dangerous, but no more than others who were there in 2004. We only lost one person in the company on that tour, but it hit home because it was a good friend of mine," he said, describing the stress and responsibilities that accompanied his roles.

After his first tour in Germany, Waterhouse’s aspiration to become a Jump Master—a significant milestone in his military career—was a journey marked by perseverance and challenge. He arrived at Fort Bragg in 2005 with the goal of becoming an airborne paratrooper, earning his Jump Master designation, and ultimately getting his star. “That was the plan—come here, be a paratrooper, and do all the things here at Bragg,” he said. However, circumstances took unexpected turns.

Navigating Change

The Army's promotion policies in the Military Police Corps changed, shifting his focus toward education. “I reenlisted to go to the MPI section to start my education and get my PMO side of the house knocked out,” he explained. He served as an investigator and began pursuing his college education. While working toward his goals, life took another turn when his twin sons were born in 2007, at only 28 weeks; they were born premature and spent significant time in the NICU. “Simultaneously I came down on orders to Korea while my kids were in the hospital,” he recalled. Thankfully, the 16th MP Brigade helped him clear those orders, “but as soon as those orders went away, recruiter orders dropped, and my situation hadn’t changed.” Continual new assignments created a significant challenge to his aspirations.

Waterhouse was then sent to the XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg, as an NCO Academy instructor, diverting him further from Jump Master School. “The NCO Academy was a stay-in course, and I had to balance work that started at 4:30 a.m. and ended late at night with visiting my kids in the hospital,” he said. “I’d go home, do my college homework, get about three hours of sleep, and come right back into work.”

After his children came home from the hospital, Waterhouse attempted to leave the NCO Academy to return to the line and pursue his goal of becoming a Jump Master. Unfortunately, he was told he couldn't move because of his assignment at the academy and needed to reenlist to change his status. “I tried to reenlist for station of choice, telling them I wanted to stay at Fort Bragg, but I was told I couldn’t pick the location I was currently at,” he explained. Frustrated, he reenlisted to go to Fort Carson to get his career back on track.

He maintained diverse roles at Fort Carson as a Platoon Sergeant, Operations Sergeant, and a Protective Services Detail Member,” he recalled. “These experiences paved the way for my subsequent assignments, including serving as a Tactical NCO at West Point, a First Sergeant in Washington, and the Provost Sergeant in Ansbach, Germany. Due to his reputation and the quality of his work, Waterhouse was selected for the Sergeants Major Academy, followed by his first duty assignment as a Sergeant Major at Fort Riley, Kansas. He emphasized, “These positions did not come without their struggles.”

The Challenge of a Dream

“Fort Bragg is the only place to be a Jump Master if you're an MP, so I had to put everything on hold,” he reflected. It wasn’t until he returned to Fort Bragg in 2021 that he could seriously pursue his longstanding goal. After facing challenges along the way, help from the Human Performance Resource Center (H2F) played a critical role in his success. “It had been nearly two decades since I first told myself I was going to be a Jump Master,” Waterhouse said. “But after 20 years, I finally was able to put on my wings and become a Jump Master. Achieving that status wasn’t just a personal goal; it was the fulfillment of a long-held dream.”

During this tumultuous period, Waterhouse experienced significant stress and struggled with his mental health at times. It was during his tenure as a First Sergeant that a compassionate Chaplain named LTC Patricia Nichols recognized his struggles. "I had a very good Chaplain who identified that I was at my lowest point," Waterhouse shared. “She engaged with me more often, taking the time to discuss everything and anything, from science to religion and held space for me to talk without judgment.” This support proved invaluable as it provided the outlet he desperately needed. “She created a space for me to be somewhere else other than in the abyss,” he said, crediting her with helping him regain his footing.

Adding to his rich tapestry of life experiences, Waterhouse is also a registered member of the Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma, proudly descended from Chief John Wilson. “Chief Wilson was instrumental in moving the tribe from Kansas to Oklahoma, and he played a pivotal role in securing the tribe's ability to attend Ottawa University for free in perpetuity,” Waterhouse explained, underscoring his deep connection to his heritage and the pride he takes in his lineage. A legacy that speaks to the strong cultural heritage and community values that Waterhouse holds dear.

After leaving Kansas, Waterhouse felt a lingering sense of unfinished business and decided to make a call to the Military Police Branch. With the help of mentors contacting their peers, Waterhouse was selected to return to Fort Bragg. Finally, he would get the opportunity to face the challenge of achieving his airborne goals. "As it always does, age gets a vote," he recollects. “I was no longer the 24-year-old fresh Soldier jumping out of planes and memorizing data with ease. Every jump hurt more, and every paragraph seemed to vanish in my brain like smoke. I realized this was not going to be something I could will myself through.”

More than the Uniform

In addition to his military accomplishments, Waterhouse has embarked on a personal writing journey, authoring a book titled "In the Shadow of Marcus." During his time at the Sergeants Major Academy, he found that life slowed down a little, allowing him time to reflect. “There were papers to write and things to read," he explained. “I’ve always been fairly decent at writing papers, so my papers were usually written at lunchtime, and I had time on my hands.” This reflective period became a catalyst for writing.

“I figured out what the major roles are in my life,” he continued. “Book one is my role as a son, book two as a Soldier, and book three as a leader and mentor. I wanted to have a place to put all the things I was thinking about.” Inspired by self-reflection, the book explores various roles he has played in his life and aims to offer guidance to future generations. "Initially, I never planned for it to be published," he said. “I wanted my kids to have a resource as they face similar struggles. I’ve encountered many unique challenges, and I hope that sharing my insights will help them navigate their own paths."

Waterhouse’s leadership philosophy centers around the well-being of his soldiers. "My goal is to ensure that I have the healthiest troops possible, and everything else will follow," he explained. Specifically for the battalion, due to the challenges faced over the last two and a half years, his focus has always been on the behavioral health of the battalion. He believes that strong cognitive and behavioral health is crucial for Soldiers to succeed. “The battalion has been performing 100% of the mission with not 100% of the people, and that is having an impact on their behavioral health. I think because of the focus that LTC Fauth and I put on it, it is okay to not be okay and to ask for help,” he emphasized. "I think we've avoided a lot of issues that we probably would have been facing otherwise,” he emphasized, noting how important it is for leaders to support their troops through mental health challenges.

A Lasting Legacy

When asked what his message would be to those who are wondering whether they should reenlist or not, he stated, “When I was on the fast track to be just another nobody, the Army gave me a purpose. I joined as a day one private, no stripes, no rank, just a blank collar. I succeeded and I failed along the way and have held every enlisted rank the Army has to offer, minus the SMA and the SEAC. I have been around the world multiple times and seen things with my own eyes that people from my hometown only see in the history books,” he explained. I’ve roamed the streets of Paris, Prague, and Vatican City; I have saved lives both with action and mentorship; I exited aircraft in the black of night, and I have taken part in the mission to reform countries in combat.

As he prepares to pass the torch to his successor, Command Sergeant Major John Wade Russell, Waterhouse imparts wisdom gleaned from years of service. “Every leader new to a seat sees where the last person maybe wasn’t focused. I only hope that my successor yields me a little grace and understands that I did what I could where I thought I needed to,” he said, recognizing the importance of continuity and evolution in leadership. “We all came to the table with different strengths, and that’s why units continue to improve.”

In his upcoming Change of Responsibility ceremony, the legacy of Command Sergeant Major John Montague Waterhouse Jr. will be honored—not just for his rank or accolades, but for the lives he has touched and the Soldiers he has led with unwavering dedication. Although he will be retiring later this year, as he steps into the next chapter, his commitment to service and the well-being of his troops will undoubtedly continue to resonate within the 503D Military Police Battalion for years to come.