[2][3] He relinquished command of First Army to Antonio Aguto on July 8, 2021, and retired from active duty with 36 years of distinguished service the same day.

Mann High School and was commissioned as an Armor Officer through the Army ROTC program at The Citadel.

James next served as aide-de-camp to the commanding general, 1st Armored Division in Bad Kreuznach, Germany.

Upon promotion to brigadier general, James was assigned as Commandant of the Armor School at Fort Benning, Georgia.

James holds a Master of Science from both the School of Advanced Military Studies and the National Defense University.