Brigadier General James J. D'Agostino is the assistant adjutant general for Air for the Rhode Island National Guard. He serves as the chief advisor to the adjutant general on all matters pertaining to Air National Guard programs, policies, operations, management, and command and control of the Rhode Island Air National Guard and provides staff assistance guidance and direction concerning Air National Guard personnel, administration, training, recruiting and retention incentives, and budgetary matters.
His military career began in June 1967 with the United States Army. After completing both basic and advanced infantry training, he was assigned to "E" Company, 4th Battalion, 21st Infantry (Regiment), 11th Light Infantry Brigade, Americal Division, Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACV). Brig Gen D'Agostino served with distinction during four military Campaigns - Air Ground, Air Offensive Phase III, Air Offensive Phase IV, and TET 69/Counter Offensive. After Vietnam, Brig Gen D'Agostino was transferred to the Army Reserve and was honorably discharged as a Sergeant in 1973.
In July 1974, Brig Gen D'Agostino joined the 143d Civil Engineering Flight, Rhode Island Air National Guard. In 1977, he graduated from the Air National Guard Academy of Military Science and was commissioned a 1st Lieutenant. After serving as the Engineering and Construction Officer through July 1978, his military career then "merged" with his full time career when he resigned his position as Deputy Traffic Engineer for the City of Providence to become the Base Civil Engineer for the 281 Combat Communications Group, Coventry, RI. During his 21-year tenure, he completely rebuilt both the Coventry and North Smithfield Air National Guard Stations. His outstanding efforts were recognized in 1997 when he was selected as Rhode Island's Federal Professional Employee of the Year. In August 1999, Brig Gen D'Agostino was selected as Supervisory Logistics Management Specialist for the United States Property and Fiscal Office for Rhode Island. In March 2001, he was appointed as the United States Property and Fiscal Officer for Rhode Island where he served through September 2005. In October 2005, Brig Gen D'Agostino was appointed to his current position as the assistant adjutant general for Air and deputy commanding general in the Rhode Island National Guard.
His military education includes over 40 courses such as Air War College, Air Command and Staff College, Squadron Officer School, Fiscal Law, Contract Management, Government Contract Law, Financial Management Orientation, Dynamics of International Terrorism and Logistics Management.
1974 Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI
1979 Master of Public Administration Degree, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI
1991 Air War College, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL
1998 The Professional Military Comptroller School, Ira C. Eaker College for Professional Development, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL
1. June 1967 - April 1969, United States Army, Infantry, 11C40.
2. April 1969 - June 1973, United States Army Reserve.
3. June 1973 - July 1974, Civilian Status (Break in Military Service)
4. July 1974 - March 1976, Rhode Island National Guard, power production specialist, 143rd Civil Engineering Flight, North Kingstown, RI.
5. March 1976 - November 1977, Rhode Island National Guard, exterior power line technician, 143rd Civil Engineering Flight, North Kingstown, RI.
6. November 1977 - July 1978, Rhode Island National Guard, engineering and construction officer, 143rd Civil Engineering Flight, North Kingstown, RI.
7. July 1978 - August 1999, federal technician, base civil engineer, 281 Combat Communications Group, Coventry, RI.
8. August 1999 - March 2001, federal technician, supervisory logistics management specialist, United States Property and Fiscal Office for Rhode Island.
9. March 2001 - September 2005, Title 10 Active Duty tour as the United States Property and Fiscal Officer for Rhode Island.
10. October 2005 - Present, assistant adjutant general for Air and Deputy Commanding General, Rhode Island National Guard.
Combat Infantry Badge
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal
Army Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Oak Leaf Cluster
Good Conduct Medal
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
National Defense Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars
Vietnam Service Medal with four Battle Stars
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air Force Longevity Service Award with six Oak Leaf Clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Gold Hourglass
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Air Force Training Ribbon
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Rhode Island Star, Rhode Island Defense Service Medal
Rhode Island Emergency Service Ribbon
Rhode Island Service Medal with two Devices
Rhode Island ANG Recruiting Ribbon
Master Civil Engineering Badge
Chairman of the Board of the SHARE Foundation at UMASS Dartmouth
Former President of the RINGTEC Federal Credit Union
Former President of the National Guard Association of Rhode Island
Former Commander of the Rhode Island Commandery - Military Order of Foreign Wars
Vice-President for Air - RI Chapter Reserve Officers Association
American Society of Civil Engineers
Institute of Transportation Engineers
National Society of Professional Engineers
Society of American Military Engineers
International Municipal Signal Association (Life)
Providence Engineering Society
Air Force Association (Life)
Reserve Officers Association (Life)
National Guard Association of the United States (Life)
National Guard Association of Rhode Island (Life)
Air National Guard Civil Engineers Association (Life)
National Defense Industrial Association (Life)
Air War College Alumni Association (Life)
Americal Division Veterans Association (Life)
Veterans of Foreign Wars (Life)
Combat Infantryman's Association (Life)
National Infantryman's Association
American Legion
AMVETS
Military Order of Foreign Wars
Providence Marine Corps Artillery
Order of the Sons of Italy
Newport Lodge No. 104 - B.P.O.E.
Albion Social Club
First Lieutenant, November 3, 1977
Captain, December 5, 1979
Major, December 1, 1984
Lieutenant Colonel, April 20, 1989
Colonel, October 6, 2000
Brigadier General, October 30, 2005
(Current as of May 2006)
The date of publication indicated on this biography reflects the most recent update. It does not necessarily reflect the date of printing.