LTC James “Jimmy” Lucas graduated from the College of William and Mary in 2006 and commissioned as an Armor Officer. Following the completion of training at Fort Knox, KY, he reported to Fort Cavazos (Fort Hood), TX, where he served as a Tank Platoon Leader, Mortar Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, and Assistant Battalion S-3 in 1-66 AR BN, 1 BCT, 4ID. Following a deployment in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM ’08-’09, he moved with the brigade to Fort Carson, CO and deployed once in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in ’10.
After completing the Maneuver Captain’s Career Course at Fort Moore (Fort Benning), GA, LTC Lucas served as an Assistant Brigade S-3 in 4 BCT, 82nd ABN DIV, Fort Liberty (Fort Bragg), NC, deploying once in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in ’12.
Following the deployment to Afghanistan, LTC Lucas served as the Commander of A Troop, 4-73 CAV, 4 BCT and as the Commander of A Company, 2-501 PIR, 1 BCT.
LTC Lucas then reported to the Maneuver Center of Excellence, Fort Moore, GA, where he served as a Small Group Instructor at the Maneuver Captain’s Career Course. While assigned to the Maneuver Center of Excellence, he completed his master’s degree in Organizational Leadership at Columbus State University.
After completing his assignment at the Maneuver Center of Excellence, LTC Lucas attended resident Marine Corps Command and Staff College and the School of Advanced Warfighting at Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA earning master’s degrees in Military Studies and Operational Studies.
LTC Lucas then reported to Fort Campbell, KY, serving as a Division Maneuver Planner in the 101st ABN DIV (AASLT) Division G-5 and then as the Division G-35. He deployed once in support of Operation FREEDOM’S SENTINEL in ’18. He then served as the S-3 in 1-75 CAV, 2 BCT and subsequently as the Brigade Executive Officer for 2 BCT.
Following his tour in the 101st ABN DIV (AASLT), LTC Lucas reported to the Joint Staff at the Pentagon, starting as an Action Officer in the Deputy Directorate for Current and Integrated Operation (J-33), and then serving as the Executive Assistant to the Deputy Director for Current and Integrated Operations (J-33). He is currently serving as the Professor of Military Science at the University of Tennessee – Knoxville.
LTC Lucas’ major awards and decorations include:
- the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Combat Soldier’s Badge, the Expert Soldier’s Badge, the Senior Parachutist Badge, and the Joint Staff Identification Badge. He is a graduate of the Ranger, Basic Airborne and Jumpmaster, Pathfinder, Air Assault, Cavalry Leader, and Scout Leader courses.
LTC Lucas is married to the former Jennifer Showker of Harrisonburg, VA.