A native of Columbus, Ohio, Colonel Matthew (Matt) T. James attended Miami University and was commissioned through the NROTC program in December 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in Education. Following graduation from The Basic School and Logistics Officer Course, Second Lieutenant James joined 2d Reconnaissance Battalion at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina where he served as the Motor Transportation Officer. In 2002, First Lieutenant James was reassigned to 2d Force Reconnaissance Company as the Logistics Officer and deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom I.
In the summer of 2004, Captain James was assigned to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina where he served as a Series Commander, Aide-de-Camp, and Company Commander. He subsequently attended the
Expeditionary Warfare School in Quantico, Virginia followed by an assignment as a summer augment at the Officer Candidate School.
In the summer of 2008, Captain James reported to Combat Logistics Battalion 4 in Okinawa, Japan serving as Company Commander, Motor Transportation Company, and again deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Upon his return from deployment, Major James served as the Operations Officer, Combat Logistics Battalion 4 followed by the Operations Officer, Combat Logistics Regiment 3. Concurrently, Major James graduated with distinction from the Marine Corps University's Command and Staff Distance Education Program.
In July of 2011, Major James reported to the U.S. Army's Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas where he graduated with distinction and received a Masters of Adult and Continuing Education from Kansas State University. Upon graduation, Major James was assigned as the Combat Service Support Majors' Monitor at Manpower Management Officer Assignments in Quantico, Virginia.
Major James reported to Combat Logistics Battalion 3 at Kane'ohe Bay, Hawai'i in June 2014 and served as the Battalion Executive Officer. In August 2016, Major James transferred to U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific where he served as the South East Asia Logistics Planner.
In June 2017, Lieutenant Colonel James assumed command of Combat Logistics Battalion 5 at Camp Pendleton, CA. Following command, Lieutenant Colonel James reported to the National War College, National Defense University in Washington, D.C. where he earned a Master's of Science in National Security Strategy.
In June 2020, Lieutenant Colonel James was assigned to the Joint Force Development Directorate (J-7), the Joint Staff as Chief, Joint Doctrine Branch. In June 2022, Colonel James was assigned to Manpower Management Officer Assignments in Quantico, VA to serve as the Ground Colonels' Monitor / Ground Section Head.
On 11 July 2023, Colonel James assumed his current billet as Commanding Officer, 3d Sustainment Group (Experimental), 3D MLG.
Colonel James has been awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with three gold stars, Navy Commendation Medal with three gold stars, the Navy Achievement Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia.