Born in Annapolis, Maryland, Hogg graduated from the United States Naval Academy and was commissioned in the Navy in June 1956.

His sea commands included a guided missile cruiser, two destroyer squadrons, and a cruiser-destroyer flotilla.

While on active duty he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal (three), the Legion of Merit (three) and other U.S. and foreign decorations.

In July 1995 he was appointed the Director of the Chief of Naval Operations Strategic Studies Group, from which he retired in mid-2013.

[1] This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Navy Media related to James R. Hogg at Wikimedia Commons