Brigadier General James A. Benson assumed the responsibilities of Assistant Adjutant General, Delaware Army National Guard in June 2023. As the Assistant Adjutant General, Benson ensures that all assigned units and personnel are fully trained, deployable and equipped for mobilization to support overseas contingency operations or any other homeland defense operation in support of the Nation’s needs and those of the Governor of the State of Delaware.
General Benson joined the Delaware Army National Guard through OCS in 1992, as a 2nd Lt. General Benson completed the Signal Officer Basic Course in 1993 and continued his service in the role of signal officer for the 198th Signal Battalion. In addition to his military duties General Benson currently works as an Emergency Management Consultant with the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
COMMISSIONED SOURCE:
Officer Commissioning School
EDUCATIONAL DEGREES:
1990, University of Delaware, Bachelor of Arts, Economics, Newark, Delaware
1998, Wilmington University, Master of Business Administration, New Castle, Delaware
2015, Army War College, Master of Strategic Studies, Carlisle, Pennsylvania
MILITARY SCHOOLS ATTENDED:
1993, Signal Officer Basic Course, In – Residence, Augusta, Georgia
2001, Signal Officer Advanced Course, Reserve Component, Augusta, Georgia
2002, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, Reserve Component, Edgemont, Pennsylvania
2008, Command and General Staff College, In – Residence, Fort Belvoir, Virginia
2015, Army War College, Strategic Studies, In – Residence, Carlisle, Pennsylvania
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:
Second Lieutenant 20 June 1992
First Lieutenant 19 June 1995
Captain 10 August 2000
Major 06 March 2006
Lieutenant Colonel 1 April 2012
Colonel 1 May 2017
Brigadier General 03 January 2021
ASSIGNMENTS:
1. June 1991 – June 1992, Officer Candidate School, Regional Training Institute, Bethany Beach, Delaware
2. July 1992 – July 1995, Signal Officer, HHD 198th Signal Battalion, Wilmington, Delaware
3. June 1998 – June 1998, S1, HHD 198th Signal Battalion, Wilmington, Delaware
4. July 1998 – May 1999, Platoon Leader, 259th Signal Company (Tropo), Harrington, Delaware
5. June 1999 – June 2000, Operations Officer, 259th Signal Company (Tropo), Harrington, Delaware
6. July 2000 – July 2002, Commander, 259th Signal Company (Tropo), Harrington, Delaware
7. August 2002 – January 2003, S4, HHC 280th Signal Battalion, Georgetown, Delaware
8. February 2003 – June 2006, Operations Officer / Deputy Team Chief NGB J3 Joint Operations Center, Arlington, Virginia
9. July 2006 – September 2007, Deputy Mayor, 198th Rear Area Operations Center, Baghdad, Iraq
10. October 2007 – April 2008, S3 Action Officer, HHD 198th Integrated Theater Signal Battalion, Wilmington, Delaware
11. May 2008 – July 2008, Operations Officer – J4 LNO, NGB J3 Current Operations, Arlington, Virginia
12. August 2008 – December 2008, Student, Intermediate Level Education, Fort Belvoir, Virginia
13. January 2009 – February 2010, S3 Action Officer, HHD 198th Integrated Theater Signal Battalion, Wilmington, Delaware
14. March 2010 – March 2012, Executive Officer, HHD 198th Integrated Theater Signal Battalion, Wilmington, Delaware
15. April 2012 – April 2013, Battalion Commander, 198th Expeditionary Signal Battalion, Wilmington, Delaware
16. June 2013 – June 2014, Battalion Commander, 198th Expeditionary Signal Battalion, Kandahar, Afghanistan
17. July 2014 – June 2016, Brigade S3, 261st Theater Tactical Signal Brigade, Smyrna, Delaware
18. July 2016 – January 2021, Brigade Commander, 261st Theater Tactical Signal Brigade, Smyrna, Delaware
19. January 2021 – May 2023, Director Joint Staff, Joint Force Headquarters, Delaware, New Castle, Delaware
20. June 2023 – Present, Assistant Adjutant General, Army, Joint Force Headquarters, Delaware, New Castle, Delaware
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS:
January 2021- May 2023, Director Joint Staff, Joint Force Headquarters, Delaware National Guard, New Castle, Delaware
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONAL ASSIGNMENTS:
1. July 2006 – September 2007, Deputy Mayor, 198th Rear Area Operations Center, Baghdad, Iraq
2. June 2013 – June 2014, Battalion Commander, 198th Expeditionary Signal Battalion, Kandahar, Afghanistan
AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
Bronze Star (2)
Meritorious Service Medal
Army Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Army Achievement Medal
Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (7)
Global War On Terrorism Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon (2)
NATO Medal
Meritorious Unit Citation (2)
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign stars
Armed Forces Service Medal Iraq Campaign Medal
Delaware National Guard DEGNGMYY - 2
Delaware National Guard DEGMMMLY - 2
Delaware National Guard DEGACAYY - 2
Delaware National Guard DEGGMUAY - 1
Delaware National Guard DEGUSAYY - 1
Delaware National Guard DEGNDSRY - 2
CIVILIAN OCCUPATION:
General Benson currently works as an Emergency Management Consultant with the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS & AFFILIATIONS:
National Guard Association of the United States
National Guard Association - Delaware
Signal Corp Regimental Association