First Sergeant James M. Wittman entered the United States Army Reserve in February 2011. He completed Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Lee, Virginia, where he initially qualified as a Track Mechanic. In May 2013, he transitioned his career field to Combat Engineer. Transitioning to the Active Guard Reserve (AGR) program in July 2017, he began his full-time service as a Reconnaissance Sergeant.
1SG Wittman’s Active Guard Reserve (AGR) career is characterized by the progression of increasing responsibility in both operational and institutional roles. He initially served as a Reconnaissance Sergeant for the 688th Engineer Company in Harrison, Arkansas, before transitioning to the Non-Commissioned Officer Academy (NCOA) at Fort Dix,
New Jersey, where he served as a Small Group Leader. Following his instructional tour, he transitioned to the 412th Theater Engineer Command in Vicksburg, Mississippi, serving as an Operations Sergeant at both the command and Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC) levels. His demonstrated leadership led to his selection as the Executive Non-Commissioned Officer to the 14th Command Sergeant Major of the United States Army Reserve at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Currently, Master Sergeant Wittman serves as the Basic Leader Course (BLC) Course Manager at the NCO Academy at Fort Dix, New Jersey. Will assume responsibility as the First Sergeant for the Non-Commissioned Officer Academy at Fort Dix, New Jersey.
His professional military education includes the Master Leader Course, Battle Staff NCO Course, Senior Leaders Course, Advanced Leaders Course, and Warrior Leaders Course. MSG Wittman’s specialized training includes the Joint Engineer Operations Course (Phase 1), Master Fitness Trainer, Master Resiliency Trainer, Common Faculty Development-Instructor Course (CFD-IC), ATTRS Operator Course, Air Assault School, Combat Heavy Track Operator, MRAP-U, and Track Recovery Specialist.
His dedicated service is reflected in an extensive array of decorations, headlined by the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, and the Army Achievement Medal with one silver oak leaf cluster. His commitment to long-term readiness and professional excellence is further recognized by the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with "M" device. As a testament to his expertise as an educator and technical specialist, he has earned the Master, Senior, and Basic Army Instructor Badges, the Air Assault Badge, and the Army Mechanic and Drivers Badge. Additionally, his career progression is marked by the NCO Professional Development Ribbon with numeral 4 and the Army Service Ribbon.