BRIGADIER GENERAL JAMES A. BRUNSON

Deputy Commander, Joint Force Headquarters

Brigadier General James A. Brunson assumed duties as Joint Force Headquarters, Deputy Commander, Michigan Army National Guard in November 2004. He provides leadership, guidance and direction to enhance the operations and mobilization readiness of Michigan Army National Guard units, stresses strength maintenance with special emphasis on retention, and the quality of inactive duty training. Emphasis is placed on the mobilization preparedness of Michigan Army National soldiers deploying overseas. He advises the Adjutant General on Homeland Defense and preparation for response to domestic disturbances, natural disasters, and other state emergencies.

General Brunson began his military career in 1975 when he received a direct commission to First Lieutenant as a Judge Advocate officer in the United States Army Reserve with immediate assignment in the United States Army. He served as a JAG for the XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. In 1978 he returned to the Army Reserve until his appointment in the Michigan Army National Guard in 1981. Prior to his current assignment he served as a Trial Counsel at the Brigade level. He later served as the Assistant Staff Judge Advocate and State Judge Advocate for the state headquarters.

EDUCATION:

1971 Aquinas College - BA Degree - Political Science
1974 Case Western Reserve University - Juris Doctor - Law
1980 East Carolina University - MA Degree - Political Science
2001 United States Army War College - Master of Strategic Studies Degree

ASSIGNMENTS:

1. Apr 75 - Apr 75, USAR Control Group (Reinforcement)
2. Apr 75 - Jun 75, Student, The Judge Advocate General's, School, Charlottesville, Virginia
3. Jun 75 - Jul 75, Student, Paratrooper School, Fort Benning, Georgia
4. Jul 75 - Apr 78, Judge Advocate General Officer, HHC XVIII Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, North Carolina
5. Apr 78 - May 81, USAR Control Group (Standby)
6. Nov 81 - Jun 89, Trial Counsel, Headquarters 46th Engineer Group, Flint, Michigan
7. Jul 89 - Oct 89, Staff Judge Advocate, Headquarters 46th Engineer Group, Flint, Michigan
8. Nov 89 - Oct 92, Staff Judge Advocate, Headquarters 177th Military Police Brigade, Taylor, Michigan
9. Nov 92 - Aug 96, Command Judge Advocate, Headquarters 177th Military Police Brigade, Taylor, Michigan
10. Sep 96 - Nov 98, Command Judge Advocate, Headquarters State Area Command, Lansing, Michigan
11. Dec 98 - May 00, Assistant Staff Judge Advocate, Headquarters State Area Command, Lansing, Michigan
12. Jun 00 - Nov 04, State Judge Advocate, Joint Force Headquarters, Michigan Army National Guard, Lansing, Michigan
13. Nov 04 - Present, Deputy Commander, Joint Force Headquarters, Michigan Army National Guard, Lansing, Michigan

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:

Meritorious Service Medal
Army Commendation Medal
Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (with Four Oak Leaf Clusters)
National Defense Service Medal (with Bronze Service Star)
Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with Silver Hourglass)
Army Service Ribbon
Parachute Badge

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:

1LT USAR 4 Apr 75
CPT AUS 14 Apr 75
CPT ARNG 23 Nov 81
MAJ ARNG 20 Nov 84
LTC ARNG 11 Jan 90
COL ARNG 1 Oct 98
BG (LINE) ARNG 2 Nov 04

(Current as of June 2005)