Gunnery Sergeant James is a native of Philadelphia, P.A. He enlisted on 21 July 1997 and attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina.

After completing Automotive Organizational Maintenance Course at Camp Johnson, North Carolina, Private First Class James was assigned to Headquarters Company, 3rd Maintenance Battalion, 3rd FSSG, Okinawa, Japan in March 1998. He was promoted to Lance Corporal in Dec 1998.

In Mar 1999, Lance Corporal James was transferred to 2D Radio BN, II MEF, Camp Lejeune, N.C. While assigned to 2D Radio BN, Lance Corporal James was attached to 1st BN 2nd Mar, for Summer Leaders Package. While attached to the unit he was promoted to Corporal in 2000. Upon returning to 2d Radio BN, he was promoted to Sergeant in April 2001.

In Dec 2001, Sergeant James was ordered to Recruiting Duty in Richmond, Virginia. In December 2001, he was assigned to Recruiting Station Richmond, Recruiting Sub-Station Richmond South, Richmond, Virginia for duty as a Recruiter. He was Meritoriously Promoted to Staff Sergeant July 2003. In December 2003, he was reassigned as the Officer Selection Assistant for Officer Selection Office Ashland, VA.

In May 2006, Staff Sergeant James was sent to Camp Pendleton, CA for duty at 5th Marine Regiment as the Motor Transportation Chief. In December 2007, he deployed with RCT-5 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as the Regimental Motor Transportation Maintenance Chief.

In May 2009, Staff Sergeant James was ordered to School of Infantry (West), Camp Pendleton, CA for duty as the Motor Transportation Maintenance Chief. While assigned he served as the Funeral detail SNCO for three years. He was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant July of 2011.

 In December 2011, Gunnery Sergeant James was transferred to Combat Logistics Company 21, Cherry Point, North Carolina where he served as the Motor Transportation Platoon Commander, Company Gunnery Sergeant and Company First Sergeant. During this period Gunnery Sergeant James received his Bachelors of Arts in Criminal Justice and his Masters of Arts in Business Management and Leadership, and currently pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership.

 In March 2015 after being selected to First Sergeant he received his current orders to 3d Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, Ca and assigned to Company A.

His personal decorations include Navy Commendation Medal (2nd award) , Navy Achievement Medal (2nd award), Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and Good Conduct Medal (5th award).