Major General Jack A. James Jr. serves as Commanding General of the 42d Infantry Division, Troy, NY. In this role he leads one of the Army’s 19 combat divisions, a combined arms force consisting of up to 15,000 Soldiers serving in infantry, aviation, maneuver enhancement, sustainment and Division Artillery brigades.
Maj. Gen. James has served in numerous key leadership and staff positions prior to his promotion to general officer. He has led American Soldiers at the platoon, troop, battalion, brigade and general officer levels. Key roles include attack helicopter platoon leader, attack helicopter troop commander, battalion operations officer, battalion executive officer, brigade operations officer, and battalion commander. He led the 42d Combat Aviation Brigade from 2014 to 2019, thereafter serving as Commanding General, 53d Troop Command and Deputy Commander, 42d Infantry Division. During his career, General James has deployed on multiple occasions.
In addition to his overseas service, Maj. Gen. James has participated in responses to numerous domestic emergencies including Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Sandi and others.
Maj. Gen. James is a traditional National Guard Soldier who has balanced civilian and military careers for over twenty years. In his civilian career, Maj. Gen. James serves as a Vice President at New York Life Insurance Company.
Maj. Gen. James is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and a Distinguished Graduate of the U.S. Army War College and holds an MBA from New York University. He is a Master Army Aviator and is rated in the AH-64, AH-1, UH-60, UH-1 and fixed wing aircraft.
Educational Degrees
- 1992
- United States Military Academy, Bachelor of Science, Foreign Affairs, West Point, New York
- 2003
- New York University, Maters of Business Administration, Finance/Management, New York City, New York
- 2015
- U.S Army War College, Master of Science, Strategic Studies, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania
Military Schools Attended
- 1992
- Aviation Officer Basic Course, In Residence, Fort Rucker, Alabama
- 1998
- Aviation Officer Advanced Course, In Residence, Fort Rucker, Alabama
- 1998
- Combined Arms and Services Staff School, In Residence, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas
- 2005
- United States Army Command and General Staff College, By Correspondence, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas
- 2008
- United States Air War College, By Correspondence, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
- 2015
- United States Army War College, By Correspondence, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania
- 2021
- Joint Task Force Commanders Course, In Residence, Colorado Springs, Colorado
- 2021
- Dual Status Commander’s Course, In Residence, Colorado Springs, Colorado
- 2022
- Senior Leader Development Seminar (ASEP-B), In Residence, Arlington, Virgina
Foreign Language(s)
- German
Effective Dates of Promotion
- Second Lieutenant
- 30 May 1992
- First Lieutenant
- 30 May 1994
- Captain
- 1 June 1996
- Major
- 2 October 2003
- Lieutenant Colonel
- 1 April 2008
- Colonel
- 12 May 2015
- Brigadier General
- 10 June 2019
- Major General
- 1 September 2024
Assignments
- September 2024 – Present
- Commander, 42nd Infantry Division, Troy, New York
- December 2023 – August 2024
- Commander, 53rd Troop Command, Cortlandt Manor, New York
- October 2021 – November 2023
- Deputy Commanding General-Maneuver (DCG-M, 42nd Infantry Division, Troy, New York
- September 2019 – October 2021
- Commander, 53rd Troop Command, Cortlandt Manor, New York
- June 2019 – September 2019
- Assistant Adjutant General, Joint Forces Headquarters, Latham, New York
- November 2014 – June 2019
- Brigade Commander, 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade, Latham, New York
- November 2011 – November 2014
- Battalion Commander, 642nd Aviation Support Battalion, Rochester, New York and OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM, Kuwait
- April 2007 – November 2011
- Brigade S-3, 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade, Latham, New York
- April 2003 – March 2007
- Battalion Executive Officer, 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation Regiment, Latham, New York
- June 2002 – March 2003
- Battalion S2/3, 642nd Aviation Support Battalion, Brooklyn, New York
- October 2001 – June 2002
- Civilian Break in Service
- October 1999 – October 2001
- Troop Commander, R Troop, 4th Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colorado and OPERATION JOINT FORGE, Bosnia
- August 1998 – October 1999
- Squadron Assistant S-3, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colorado
- May 1998 – August 1999
- Student, AH-64 Qualification Course, Fort Rucker, Alabama
- July 1997 – May 1998
- Student, Aviation Officer Advanced Course, Fort Rucker, Alabama
- September 1996 – July 1997
- Battalion S-4, 1st Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii
- April 1995 – September 1996
- Platoon Leader, C Company, 1st Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii
- October 1994 – April 1995
- Battalion Assistant S-3, st Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii and OPERATION UPHOLD DEMOCRACY, Haiti
- June 1993 – October 1994
- Executive Officer, Charlie Company, 2nd Aviation Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, Camp Stanley, South Korea
- July 1992 – June 1993
- Student, Aviation Officer Basic Course, Fort Rucker, Alabama
Summary of Operational Assignments
- December 2013 – August 2014
- Commander, 642nd Aviation Support Battalion, OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM, Kuwait
- March 2000 – October 2000
- Troop Commander, R Troop, 4th Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, OPERATION JOINT FORGE, Camp Comanche, Bosnia
- January 1995 – April 1995
- Battalion Assistant S-3, 1st Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, OPERATION UPHOLD DEMOCRACY, Haiti
US Decorations and Badges
- Legion of Merit (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
- Meritorious Service Medal (with 4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
- Army Commendation Medal (with 4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
- Army Achievement Medal (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
- Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (with 4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
- National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Service Star
- Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with Bronze Service Star
- Global War on Terrorism-Expeditionary Medal
- Global War on Terrorism-Service Medal
- Korean Defense Service Medal
- Humanitarian Service Medal with Bronze Service Star
- Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Bronze Hourglass Device and “M” Device
- Army Service Ribbon
- Overseas Service Ribbon with Numeral “3” Device
- Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon
- North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal
- New York State Long and Faithful Service Medal w/2 Silver Shields
- New York State Conspicuous Service Cross
- Humane Service to New York State Medal
- Louisiana Emergency Service Medal
- Mississippi Emergency Service Medal
- Master Army Aviator
- Parachutist Badge
- Air Assault Badge
Flight Information
- Rating
- Master Army Aviator
- Flight Hours
- Over 2,200
- Aircraft flown
- AH-64A, AH-1F, UH-60A/L, UH-1H, UH-72
- Pilot Wings
- Fort Rucker, Alabama
Civilian Occupation
- Corporate Vice President; New York Life Insurance Company
Professional Memberships and Achievements
- Army Aviation Association of America
- Military Association of New York
- Association of the United States Army
- Rainbow Division Veterans Foundation
Other Achievements
- Army Aviation Association Order of Saint Michael Silver Award