Meet Lt. Col. James

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Rachelle Elsea
  • 325th FIghter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, FLa. --  Born and raised in Reading, Pa., her family instilled in her, from a young age, the importance of applying oneself and never giving up.

"My parents were factory workers and are strong role models for me," said Lt. Col. Dana James, 325th Medical Operations Squadron commander. "They always put family first and put a strong emphasis on hard work. They made good, thrifty financial decisions when they were young which is paying them high benefits now, as they are enjoying retired life."

Her parents' influence left an impression on both of their daughters.

"I have one younger sister with a wonderful family of her own," said Colonel James. "She is a social worker for Reading Children's Home."

Outside of her drive to make something of herself, Colonel James also has a passion for sports.

"I played field hockey and softball in high school," said Colonel James. "In college, I played on a club field hockey team."

Colonel James attended West Chester University in Pennsylvania where she earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing.

"They had a good, affordable nursing program," said Colonel James. "I worked summers and took out student loans to pay for school."

Years later, she earned a master's degree in exercise science at Wichita State University.

After graduating from the nursing program, Colonel James got straight to work.

"I knew from a fairly young age that I wanted to join the military," said Colonel James. "After working as a civilian nurse for two years, I was ready to do more with my life and went to see an Air Force and Army recruiter. Thankfully, the Army nurses convinced me that the Air Force is a better way of life."

She initially planned to serve for just three years.

"I've been in the military for almost 22 years now," said Colonel James. "I started at March Air Force Base, Calif., then to Dover AFB, Del., McConnell AFB, Kan., Scott AFB, Ill., Aviano Air Base, Italy, Spangdahlem AB, Germany, and finally to sunny Tyndall AFB, Fla. They have all been great, but I have to say our tour in Europe was amazing."

Her goal was to take one assignment at a time, do her very best and as long as her and her family was enjoying the Air Force, she would stay in.

"Once I passed the ten year mark and committed to my career, my goal was to make lieutenant colonel and retire at 20 years," said Colonel James. "Here I am, still enjoying the Air Force, as is my family."

The 325th MDOS is Colonel James' first command and she is taking great pride in her role.

"I enjoy serving my Airmen and helping them achieve their goals," said Colonel James. "I expect my Airmen to live up to the Air Force Core Values. If they can do that, I believe the mission takes care of itself."

When she is not working, Colonel James is with her family.

"My husband, Kevin, and I have been married for 20 years," said Colonel James. "We have two children, Amanda, a senior in high school, and Austin, a junior in high school. Amanda is planning to go to Penn State next year to study business and my son hopes to join an Air Force ROTC program at Penn State to get an engineering degree."

In their free time, Colonel James said the family enjoys playing games, watching football, skiing, biking, or just hanging out.

Her husband has made a career of guiding youth and she hopes to join him in the future.

"My husband is a school teacher who loved working for Department of Defense Dependents Schools," said Colonel James. "We would like to go back into the DoDDs school system together, he as a teacher and I as a school nurse. I am definitely looking forward to summers off."

But for now, Colonel James is concentrating on molding young Airmen.

"Keep an open mind, and never shut a door," said Colonel James. "The Air Force gives us many opportunities to succeed, so take advantage of them. Often times conquering the hardest challenges become our most rewarding moments. Keep your options open, what you don't think you want to do today, may be the very thing you want tomorrow."