James P. McCord enlisted in the Marine Corps in July 2003 and completed recruit training at Parris Island, South Carolina in 2d Recruit Training Battalion. After completing Marine Combat Training, he was assigned the military occupational specialty of 0411, Maintenance Management Specialist.
In December 2003, Private First Class McCord reported to Engineer Maintenance Company, 2d Maintenance Battalion, 2d Force Service Support Group. In March 2004, he was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal, meritoriously. He deployed to Haiti with Combat Service Support Detachment - 20 in support of OPERATION SECURE TOMORROW from March to June 2004.
From January to September 2005, Lance Corporal McCord was deployed to Iraq with Combat Service Support Detachment – 25 (renamed Combat Logistics Battalion – 2 while attached) in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM. During this deployment, he was promoted to the rank of Corporal, meritoriously.
In July 2006, Corporal McCord was attached to the 26 Marine Expeditionary Unit. He deployed aboard U.S.S. Bataan from January to June 2007, in support of operations in the Mediterranean Sea, Horn of Africa, and Southwest Asia. While deployed, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, meritoriously.
In January 2008, Sergeant McCord reported to Headquarters & Service Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina. He served as Maintenance Management Chief and Platoon Sergeant of Combat Camera from January 2008 to January 2010.
In January 2010, Sergeant McCord reported to Drill Instructor School at Parris Island, and upon graduating was assigned to Company H, 2d Recruit Training Battalion where he served as a Drill Instructor, Experienced Drill Instructor, and Senior Drill Instructor from March 2010 to March 2013. During this tour, he also completed the Marine Combat Instructor of Water Survival Course and served at the Water Survival Section, Instructional Training Company, Support Battalion, where he was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant.
Upon completion of a successful tour of Drill Instructor Duty in March 2013, Staff Sergeant McCord reported to Headquarters Company, 3d Marines, 3d Marine Division at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, where he served as Regiment Maintenance Management Chief. He was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant during this tour.
After 3d Marines, Gunnery Sergeant McCord reported to U. S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe and Africa and served as the Maintenance Management Officer from March 2016 to June 2019. He was selected for promotion to the rank of First Sergeant during this tour.
In June 2019, First Sergeant McCord reported to 3d Battalion, 2d Marines for duty as the Company First Sergeant of Company K. While there, he deployed with the unit to Marine Rotational Force – Europe in Norway in 2020, and to Okinawa, Japan in 2022.
In December 2022, First Sergeant McCord reported to 2d Intelligence Battalion, II MEF Information Group, where he served as the Headquarters Company First Sergeant, and was selected for promotion to the rank of Sergeant Major.
In July 2024, Sergeant Major McCord reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island where he currently serves as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader of Support Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment.
Sergeant Major McCord’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (third award), and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (second award).