Garand Thumb Biography: Age, Wife, Net Worth, Height, Real Name, YouTube, Military

Michael Jones, professionally known as Garand Thumb, is an American YouTuber, content creator, and former U.S. Air Force veteran celebrated for his in-depth reviews of firearms, tactical gear, and survival training, delivered with a mix of dry humor and practical expertise.

A Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) specialist and SERE instructor during his military service, he launched his YouTube channel in 2011, amassing over 4 million subscribers through engaging videos that blend education with entertainment, often drawing from his real-world experiences.

His nickname references the infamous “Garand thumb” injury from mishandling an M1 Garand rifle, a nod to his passion for historical weaponry, while his tactical brand Onward Research extends his influence into gear design and sales.

Profile

• Full Name: Michael Jones
• Stage Name: Garand Thumb
• Born: April 6, 1986
• Age: 39 years old
• Birthplace: Tacoma, Washington, United States
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: YouTuber, Content Creator, Former U.S. Air Force Veteran
• Height: 1.88m
• Parents: Travis Haley and Kristine Jones
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Ashley Jones
• Children: Sunny Ryon Jones, Beck Robert Jones
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $2 million

Early Life and Education

Michael Jones was born on April 6, 1986, in Tacoma, Washington, to Travis Haley and Kristine Jones.

He grew up without publicly known siblings, developing an early fascination with firearms and military history in a supportive American family environment.

Jones attended a local private high school in Tacoma, where he earned his diploma, and his interest in the M1 Garand rifle sparked a lifelong passion for weaponry.

While specific details on higher education remain private, his path led directly to military service rather than traditional college, where he trained as a TACP specialist.

His ethnicity is American, and practices Christianity as his religion.

Career

Michael Jones enlisted in the U.S. Air Force after high school, serving as a Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) specialist and later as a SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape) instructor, roles that honed his skills in close air support coordination and survival tactics.

He deployed with conventional and special operations units, gaining hands-on experience that would later inform his content.

Discharged around 2012, Jones transitioned to civilian life by launching the Garand Thumb YouTube channel in 2011, starting with simple videos like a Pacific Blu-ray menu music upload before pivoting to firearm tutorials and gear setups, such as his viral Crye Jumpable Plate Carrier guide.

Jones’s channel exploded in popularity through consistent uploads blending technical breakdowns, comedic skits, and real-world testing, reaching 1 million subscribers by 2020 and surpassing 4 million by 2025.

He collaborated with brands for sponsored reviews, expanding into fitness challenges and urban survival scenarios that appealed to a broad audience of enthusiasts and veterans.

In 2017, he co-founded Onward Research, a tactical gear company offering custom chest rigs, pouches, slings, and accessories tested in demanding conditions, which quickly became a key revenue stream and tied into his content.

Jones continues to shape the firearms community, earning the 2023 Gundies Award for Best Gun Reviewer and appearing in indie projects like Jurassic World: Exodus.

His Patreon supports exclusive training content, and he advocates for Second Amendment rights and veteran causes, maintaining a balance of instruction and levity that keeps his audience engaged across YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @garand_thumb
• Facebook Handle: Garand Thumb
• Twitter Handle: @GarandThumb1

Personal Life

Michael Jones married Ashley Jones after several years of dating; she holds a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Utah and serves as Vice President at Onward Research.

The couple has two children, Sunny Ryon Jones and Beck Robert Jones, and they reside in Idaho with their Bernese Mountain Dog, Moo.

Net Worth

Michael Jones has an estimated net worth of $2 million.

His wealth stems from YouTube ad revenue and sponsorships, with the channel generating substantial views and Patreon support from over 2,500 patrons.

Onward Research sales of tactical gear provide a core income source, supplemented by brand collaborations and occasional consulting military training.