Colonel James J. Love

Colonel James J. Love, B.A.’87
WMU ROTC Wall of Fame

Colonel James Love was commissioned as an Armor officer in 1987 from WMU, a Distinguished Military Graduate. His first assignment was to 1-63 Armor at Fort Irwin, California, serving as a Platoon Leader and Troop Executive Officer.

In 1993, Colonel Love was assigned to 1st Squadron, 1st U.S. Cavalry, 1st Armored Division, serving as the Assistant Operations Officer and Commander of C Troop and HHT. In 1995, he deployed to Operation Joint Endeavour as a part of the NATO Implementation Force (IFOR).

In 1997, he was assigned to the National Training Center serving as the Battle Staff Trainer for the Light Task Force Trainers (Airborne). In 2000, Colonel Love served as the Squadron Operations Officer and Squadron Executive Officer for the 3rd Squadron, 17th U.S. Cavalry Regiment at Fort Drum, New York.  In 2002, Colonel Love was assigned to Army Human Resources Command where he served as the Armor LTC Career Manager and the Armor Branch Chief.

In 2005, Colonel Love assumed command of 1st Squadron, 10th U.S. Cavalry deploying his Squadron in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from November 2005 to December 2006. After command, Colonel Love served as the J5 for Joint Interagency Task Force-South in Key West, Florida from 2007 until 2009. In 2010, Colonel Love attended the U.S. Army War College and earned a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies. Also in 2010, Colonel Love assumed command of the U.S. Army Garrison, Fort Jackson, South Carolina.

In 2012, Colonel Love was assigned to HQs, III Corps and Fort Hood as the Deputy Chief of Staff. He deployed to Afghanistan from April 2013 to February 2014 where he served as the IJC Assistant Chief of Staff. Upon the Corps’ return to Fort Hood Colonel Love assumed duties as the Chief of Staff, III Corps and Fort Hood. In August 2014 Colonel Love was assigned to US Army Installation Management Command where he serves as the Deputy G9, in charge of all Family, Morale and Welfare activities for the Army.

Colonel Love’s awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Parachutist Badge and Combat Action Badge.