Colonel James “Mac” McArthur assumed his current duties as Chief of Staff, Training and Education Command, in July 2019. He is a native of Seattle, Washington, and graduated from Washington State University in May 1990 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications. He earned his commission from the University of Idaho NROTC Program in May 1990. In addition, he has attended Basic Officer Course, Infantry Officer Course, Infantry Officer Advanced Course, and the Marine Corps Command and Staff College where he earned a Masters of Military Studies degree. He also has completed the following schools and courses: Joint and Combined Warfighting, Operations and Tactics Instructor, Weapons and Tactics Instructor, Military Operations on Urbanized Terrain Instructor, Fires Support Coordination, Advanced Close Quarters Battle, Survival Evade Resistance Escape, and Airborne.
His service in the Fleet Marine Forces include: infantry platoon commander, weapons platoon commander, Combined Anti-armor Team Platoon Commander, and Weapons Company Executive Officer, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines; Assistant Operations officer, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable); infantry company commander and Operations Officer, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines; Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Special Missions Branch, Special Operations Training Group and Director, Tactical Exercise Control Group, G-7, I Marine Expeditionary Force; Commanding Officer, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines; Operations Officer, 7th Marines. During these tours he participated in operations involving defense support to civil authorities, foreign humanitarian assistance, joint and coalition forces, and combat.
His service in the Supporting Establishment include: security platoon command, Special Recovery Team OIC, and Operations Officer, Marine Corps Security Force Company, Bangor Naval Submarine Base, Silverdale, Washington; Senior Infantry Representative, Maneuver Representative, and Operations Officer, Tactical Training and Exercise Control Group, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC), 29 Palms, California; Deputy Plans Officer and Assistant Chief of Staff G-3, Director of Operations and Training, Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command and MCAGCC, 29 Palms, California; Branch Head, Doctrine Control and Director, Fires and Maneuver Integration Division, Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration, Headquarters Marine Corps, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia.
His service with Joint Forces include: Chief, Joint Doctrine Division, J-7 Joint Force Development, Joint Staff, The Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia; and Assistant Chief of Staff, U. S. European Command, Stuttgart, Germany.
His personal decorations include: Defense Superior Service Medal (2nd award), Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3rd award), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2nd award), Army Achievement Medal, and Combat Action Ribbon.