Gunnery Sgt. Joseph James

ehash Gunnery Sergeant James was born on 16 October 1976 in Greer, SC.  In May of 1995, he attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina and graduated as a PFC in August 1995.  Upon completion of recruit training, Gunnery Sergeant James proceeded to Camp Geiger for Marine Combat Training, graduating in September 1995.

ehash In September 1995, Gunnery Sergeant James proceeded to NAS Memphis, Millington, Tennessee for formal training.  Upon completion of the basic hydraulics course, he reported to NAS Miramar, CA for training on the Hydraulics Component Test Stand (HCT-10).  Gunnery Sergeant James was promoted to Lance Corporal in February 1996.  Gunnery Sergeant James then proceeded to NAS Lemoore, CA for training on the F/A-18 Hornet Servocylinder Test Station.

ehash In April of 1996, Gunnery Sergeant James reported to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12, MCAS Iwakuni, Japan.  He was promoted to the rank of Corporal in October 1996.  In April of 1997, Gunnery Sergeant James was transferred to Marine Helicopter Squadron 1, where he was promoted to Sergeant in January 1999.  He served in the capacities of Collateral Duty Quality Assurance Representative and Non-Commission Officer-In-Charge of the Hydraulics Shop for the Executive Transport Detachment.

ehash In September 2001, Gunnery Sergeant James was transferred to MALS-31, MCAS Beaufort, SC.  He deployed with Marine Fight Attack Squadron 122 to Iwakuni, Japan from July 2002 to July 2003 where he served as the Staff Non-Commissioned Officer-In-Charge (SNCOIC) of the Hydraulics/Servocylinder Test Station shops.  He was promoted to Staff Sergeant in October 2002.  After his return from Japan, Gunnery Sergeant James was transferred to be the SNCOIC of the Corrosion Control Facility at MAG-31, Beaufort, SC. 

ehash In July 2004, Gunnery Sergeant James reported to Drill Instructor School, MCRD Parris Island for training.  He completed his training and reported to Delta Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion for duty.  Gunnery Sergeant James completed four recruit training cycles and reported to the Support Battalion for duty as SNCOIC of the Academic Instruction Unit and Company Gunnery Sergeant of Instructional Training Company.  Upon completion of his assigned duty, he reported back to Delta Company for duty as a Senior Drill Instructor and Series Gunnery Sergeant.  Gunnery Sergeant James was promoted to his present rank in October 2007.

ehash In October 2007, Gunnery Sergeant James reported back to MALS-31 for duty as the Hydraulics shop SNCOIC.  While at MALS-31, he served in the billets of Hydraulics Shop SNCOIC, Quality Assurance SNCOIC and Assistant Aircraft Maintenance Chief.  Gunnery Sergeant James completed a combat deployment to Al Asad, Iraq in 2008-2009 where he was attached to MALS-16 (FWD) served as the Hydraulics Shop SNCOIC.  In 2011, Gunnery Sergeant James completed another combat deployment in Kandahar, Afghanistan as the Quality Assurance Chief for MALS-40 (FWD).

ehash In 2011, Gunnery Sergeant James reported to MALS-24, Kaneohe Bay, HI for duties as the AIRSpeed Chief.  In August 2013, Gunnery Sergeant James transferred to the Maintenance Department of MALS-24 where he currently serves as the Quality Assurance SNCOIC.

ehash Gunnery Sergeant James’s personal awards include:  the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two Gold Stars, the Navy Achievement Medal, the Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and the Presidential Service Badge. He is married to the former Jenny Magsamen, of Greer, SC.  They have two children, Alex-13 and Caroline-9.

ehash