Lieutenant Colonel Darius L. James, a native of Bishopville, SC graduated from the University of SC in December 1997 with a BA in Music. After being accepted into Officer Candidate Class 169 he was commissioned, a Second Lieutenant on December 11, 1998. Upon completion of The Basic School and Logistics Officer Course he was designated an 0402, Logistics Officer.
Second Lieutenant James reported to 2nd Transportation Support Battalion, where he held the billets of Platoon Commander, Battalion Training Officer, and Motor Transport Detachment OIC for Dynamic Mix ’03. While assigned to 2nd FSSG, First Lieutenant James attended and graduated from the Winter Mountain Leader’s Course, Bridgeport CA and enrolled in Amphibious Warfare School (non-res).
After being frocked to Captain, Captain James was next assigned to 2nd Marine Division, where he worked as the G-4 Plans Officer/MMO for 4th MEB (AT). While assigned to 4th MEB(AT) he attended the Tactical Logistics Officer’s Course, completed Phase I of Amphibious Warfare School and enrolled in Phase II of Expeditionary Warfare School.
In summer of 2004 Captain James received orders to MCRDPI, where we would serve in capacity as Series Commander, and G-4 Plans Officer. While stationed at Parris Island, Captain James Completed Phase II of EWS (non-res), and obtained his MA in Education Leadership and Administration, with an emphasis in Curriculum Design and Instruction.
In June 2007, Captain James PCS-ed to Camp Pendleton, CA, where he was assigned to 1stMLG, CLR-1. After checking into CLR-1, he immediately received orders as an Individual Augment to Multi-National Security Transition Team-Iraq, where he worked in the J-4, as the Property Control Officer. Upon returning from this deployment, Captain James was assigned as the CLR-1 S-4, S-3 Officer and OIC for the Camp Pendleton CLB-7 Detachment. Upon Returning from deployment with CLB-7, Captain James was assigned as the CLR-1 Headquarters Company Commander, until EAS June 2011.
In July of 2011, Captain James transitioned to the USMC Reserves. As a Major and LtCol he served in the SMCR and completed multiple ADOS assignments within Second Marine Division, II MEF, and MARFORCOM. As a reservist, he also was assigned to IMA detachments which supported IGMC and MCRC. An ordained minister in the Church of God (Anderson, IN), LtCol James earned his Master of Divinity and completed more than 1600 hours of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) as a civilian. After going through the examination process, he received status as a Board-Certified Chaplain (BCC) and has been employed as Director of Family Life/Outreach in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian (ARP) Church and as a Hospice Chaplain. LtCol James is enrolled in the Air War College (non-res) and has completed all course work for the awarding of a Doctor of Ministry. In 2025 he returned to active duty (RAD) and was assigned to his current billet as Executive Officer, Headquarters Battalion TECOM.