Meet Our Leadership

James Cox enlisted in the Marine Corps in December of 2001, attending recruit training at MCRD Parris Island. After follow-on training, he was assigned to Company H, Marine Cryptologic Support Battalion, Lackland AFB, TX as a Spanish and Albanian cryptologic linguist, mission supervisor, training NCO and Martial Arts instructor. After earning a Bachelor of Intelligence from National Intelligence University in 2007, he was stationed at Headquarters, Marine Cryptologic Support Battalion as the Operations and Training Chief. Sgt Cox was selected for Officer Candidate Course, receiving his commission on 12 December 2008.

After initial training and flight instruction, in 2012 Capt Cox reported to HMH-461 deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in 2013, and Special Purpose MAGTF – Southern Command in 2015. From 2016 to 2020, Capt Cox trained as a Foreign Area Officer, earning a Masters of Arts in National Security Affairs from Naval Postgraduate School and served as the Exchange officer to the Brazilian Marine Corps in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

In 2020, Maj Cox was assigned to MAG-16 where he served as an exercise planner, then Executive Officer of HMH-361 during the squadron’s deployment to Okinawa, Japan, and led the aviation unit detachment for Korean Marine Exercise Program 22-2. Following redeployment, Maj Cox then served as the MALS-16 Executive officer. Maj Cox arrived at U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South in August of 2023 and served as the Brazilian and Paraguayan desk officer, culminating almost 24 years of honorable service by returning to the Latin American Area of Responsibility, where his career began.

Maj Cox is married and has four children; Kirien (23), Cadence (22), Cacia (19) and Keagan (17); and four grandchildren; Lucas (6), Roman (3), Atlas (2), and William (5 months).

Enlisted in the Marine Corps August 6, 2001 where he attended Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and successfully graduated as a private. After graduation and assignment as a Supply Administration, Finance, Accounting, and Operations clerk; he attended military occupational specialty school aboard Camp Johnson in North Carolina. Successful completion of his occupational school he was transferred to 2nd Supply Battalion aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. During this time he deployed in support of OEF/OIF before returning stateside and getting orders to 2nd Maintenance Battalion. Corporal Lacey had received orders to execute a permanent change of station to Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany in the state of Georgia. During this period he was deployed in support of OIF again before returning and receiving order to recruiting duty. Sergeant Lacey was referred to execute his recruiting duties in Des Moines, Iowa which is a part of the 9th Marine Corps Recruiting District. After successful completion of his recruiting tour, Staff Sergeant Lacey was transferred to Combat Logistics Regiment 1 as the supply chief. He then became hand selected to lead an education mission and was transferred to 1st Tank BN in 29 Palms, California. He then deployed in support of establishing proper supply chain systems for the Afghanistan National Police and Army in requisitioning and inventory management. At the end of the tour, Staff Sergeant Lacey had received order to Okinawa Japan. While in Okinawa Japan, GySgt Lacey was assigned to various units within infantry, logistics, and air wing units. While serving multiple units and positions, GySgt Lacey received order to Marine Air Support Squadron 1 aboard Marine Corps Air Wing Cherry Point, North Carolina. Now MSgt Lacey later went on to Marine Recruit Depot Parris Island where he officially retired August 31, 2021. His wife Ketoya (Dr. Lacey), his daughter Kymani, and his three boys Kyrese, Kynji, and Kyeo. His personal decorations include Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps achievement medal with two stars, Humanitarian Service Medal, Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.