Lt. Col. Nicholas M. James of East Williston, New York, received his commission as a 2nd Lt. of Armor in 2005 from Niagara University in Niagara Falls, New York with a Bachelor of Arts in History and World Religion.
Following Armor Officer Basic Course and Maneuver Captains Career Course, James served in numerous tactical assignments in the 3rd ABCT, 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Benning, Ga with three National Training Center rotations and two tours to Iraq. He served as a Scout Platoon Leader and Troop Executive Officer during Operation Iraqi Freedom V, and as a Cavalry Troop Commander in Operation Iraqi Freedom VII/Operation New Dawn. He also served as an Armor Basic Officer Leaders Course (ABOLC) Troop Commander, Senior Cavalry Instructor, and Chief of Tactics at the U.S. Army Armor School.
James is a graduate of the Army Command and General Staff College and School of Advanced Military Studies. Following schooling, he served as a CJ-5 Future Planner in Headquarters, NATO Special Operations Component Command-Afghanistan/Special Operations Joint Task Force-Afghanistan (NSOCC-A/SOJTF-A) from May 2017 to May 2018. Upon return, he assumed duties as the Operations Officer for the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd ABCT, 1st Cavalry Division. Following the battalion’s National Training Center rotation, he transitioned to Executive Officer for 3-8 CAV and deployed to the Republic of Korea, where he later served as the Brigade Operations Officer for 3rd Armored Brigade (GREYWOLF), 1st Cavalry Division.
Following return from the Republic of Korea in 2020, James joined the Mission Command Training Program at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. Since joining MCTP, he served as a corps and division level Maneuver Observer Coach/Trainer, and as Deputy Chief of Plans. His most recent assignment was Squadron Commander of the 4th Squadron, 9th U.S. Cavalry Regiment (DARKHORSE) for 2nd Armored Brigade (BLACK JACK), 1st Cavalry Division.
Lt. Col. James holds a Masters in Military Art and Science. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Joint Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Iraq Campaign Medal (three campaign stars), the Afghanistan Campaign Medal (one star), the Combat Action Badge, the NATO medal, Order of Saint George (Bronze Medallion) and both silver and gold spurs.