Brigadier General James F. Porter serves as the Deputy Commanding General-Support for the 99th Readiness Division, Ft. Dix, New Jersey. With an area of responsibility spanning thirteen states, Brigadier General Porter oversees the activities of the 99th’s Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, G3 Division, and the Strategic Initiatives Group.
He was commissioned a 2LT in the United States Army Reserve through the Prairie View A&M University ROTC program in 1993 and attended the Quartermaster Officer Basic Course, Ft. Gregg-Adams, Virginia. His first assignment was Platoon Leader, Supply Support Activity (SSA), 597th Maintenance Company, Ft. Cavazos, Texas. Brigadier General Porter deployed to Guantanamo Bay Cuba to serve as the Army Forces (ARFOR) Assistant S-4, Operation Sea Signal. Upon his return, he was assigned to numerous positions to include Accountable Officer, 597th Maintenance Company SSA and Supply Support Officer, 544th Maintenance Battalion. In 2000, he assumed command of the 1008th Quartermaster Company, Wood River, Illinois.
In 2013, he assumed command of the 329th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, Parsons, Kansas. He deployed as the Mobility Branch Chief, 4th Expeditionary Sustainment Command (ESC), Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Operation Enduring Freedom. Upon return from deployment, he served in numerous positions to include G4, 4th ESC and Deputy Commanding Officer, 90th Sustainment Brigade, Camp Robinson, Little Rock, Arkansas. In February 2019, Brigadier General Porter assumed command of the 304th Sustainment Brigade, Riverside, California. He deployed the Brigade Headquarters in 2020 to Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, assuming command of the sustainment mission, United States Army Central Command (CENTCOM), Operation Enduring Freedom.
His military education includes Quartermaster Officer Basic Course, Quartermaster Officer Advanced Course, Combined Arms & Services Staff School, Command and General Staff College, United States Army Airborne School, and Mobilization Planners Course. Brigadier General Porter has a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, Texas, Master of Business Administration Degree from Fontbonne University, Saint Louis, Missouri, and a Master of Strategic Studies from United States Army War College.
His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with silver oak leaf cluster, Army Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters, United States Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation, Coast Guard Special Operations Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (6th Award), Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal (2d Award), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Service Ribbon, Parachutist Badge, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/M device (2d Award), Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon.
Brigadier General Porter is married to Patti Verner-Porter, and they have two sons, Taylor and Jordan.