CMSgt Thomas James' Bio
Before assuming responsibilities as Acting Commandant at Oakland Military Institute in 2022, Chief Master Sergeant Thomas L. James was the Command Senior Enlisted Leader to The Adjutant General of the California National Guard. In fulfilling his responsibilities at the highest level of enlisted leadership for the California National Guard, Chief James was responsible for the morale, welfare, training, discipline, recognition, resourcing, and effective utilization of over 14,000 enlisted service members throughout the force. Chief James’ earlier roles and responsibilities included service as Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Squadron Superintendent with the Air Force Reserve while assigned to Deployable Ground Station Two, Beale Air Force Base, California, Legislative Liaison with the Office of Federal Policy and Liaison for the California Military Department, and an International Affairs NCO assigned to the California National Guard, Joint Staff. His experience in overseas contingencies, humanitarian, and state disaster response includes participation in Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Restore Hope, New Horizons, Iraqi Freedom, and Hurricane Katrina Emergency Response. His education includes a Master of Arts degree in Professional Development from Amberton University, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Intelligence Studies from American Military University, and a Diploma from National Defense University for Keystone, Command Senior Enlisted Course.
