Major General James A. Benson assumed his duties as The Adjutant General, Delaware on January 30, 2025. As Adjutant General, he is responsible for the mission readiness of all Delaware National Guard units, to include over 1500 Soldiers and 1100 Airmen for both federal and state missions.
BG Benson previously served as the Assistant Adjutant General Army, Delaware National Guard from June 2023 to January 2025, and as the Director of the Joint Staff, Delaware National Guard from January 2021 to June 2023. BG Benson commissioned in 1991, through the Delaware National Guard Officer Candidate School. He has commanded the 259th (Tropo) Signal Company, 198th Expeditionary Signal Battalion, and the 261st Theater Tactical Signal Brigade. BG Benson has deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
BG Benson is a graduate of the University of Delaware, bachelor’s degree in economics, Wilmington University, Master of Business Administration and the Army War College, Master of Strategic Studies. In his civilian capacity, BG Benson is an Emergency Management Consultant with the United States Department of Agriculture.
Commissioning Source:
OCS
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
FOREIGN LANGUAGES(s):
None
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
Major General 03 January 2025
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 – June 2023, Director Joint Staff, Joint Force Headquarters, Delaware, New Castle, Delaware
20. June 2023 – January 2025, Assistant Adjutant General, Army, Joint Force Headquarters, Delaware, New Castle, Delaware
21. January 2025 – Present, The Adjutant General, Delaware National Guard, Joint Force Headquarters, Delaware, New Castle, Delaware
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS:
January 2021- June 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
MAJOR 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
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS & AFFILIATIONS:
National Guard Association of the United States
National Guard Association - Delaware
Signal Corp Regimental Association