COL James Yastrzemsky, Ph.D.

COL James Ross Yastrzemsky (“Yaz”) directs the Simon Center for the Professional-Militar Ethic at the United States Military Academy (USMA) 

The Baltimore, Maryland, native graduated from USMA in 1997 as an NCAA lacrosse academic and athletic All‑American and team captain with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering.

COL Yastrzemsky has served in numerous command and leadership positions, beginning with the 1‑3 Attack Helicopter Aviation Regiment at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia. He initially deployed to Fort Hood, Texas, to conduct the Apache Longbow Unit Fielding and Training Program. He also deployed with Task Force Viper to Kuwait in support of Operation Desert Spring shortly after the attacks of 9/11. In 2003, he deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, serving as the aviation liaison officer for the 3rd Brigade Combat Team of the 3rd Infantry Division, the lead division during the invasion and liberation of Iraq.

While assigned at Fort Hood, COL Yastrzemsky commanded Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1‑6 Cavalry, leading his company through a second fielding and training program, the transformation and reflagging to the 4‑4 Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, and a deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 05‑07 during the height of the insurgency. Following deployment, he returned to USMA to serve as the aviation branch proponent and trainer in the Department of Military Instruction.

In 2010, he returned to Fort Hood as the operations officer of the 1‑4 Attack Reconnaissance Battalion. As part of the presidential surge forces into Afghanistan, he deployed with Task Force Dragon to Kandahar in support of Operation Enduring Freedom X‑XI. While attached to the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade as the task force operations and executive officer, his unit provided direct support to special operations forces operating throughout southern Afghanistan.

Following advanced civil schooling, COL Yastrzemsky commanded the 6th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, leading the battalion through a period of focused readiness; hurricane relief efforts in Florida and Puerto Rico; and preparation for deployment to Afghanistan. After command, he served as the deputy director of the West Point Leadership Center and as an assistant professor of military leadership within the Department of Behavioral Sciences & Leadership.

Upon graduation from the War College, COL Yastrzemsky commanded U.S. Army Garrison Benelux, consisting of more than 20,000 community members across three countries and four Army prepositioned stock sites, providing base operations support to U.S. Army, joint and NATO forces throughout the COVID‑19 pandemic and in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

COL Yastrzemsky is a graduate of the Initial Entry Rotary Wing Course and the Aviation Officer Basic Course (Distinguished Honor Graduate); the Aviation Captains Career Course (Honor Graduate); the Combined Arms Services and Staff School; the Joint Firepower Controller Course; the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College; and the U.S. Army War College. He is rated in the AH‑64A/D/E Apache Longbow, UH‑60M Black Hawk, LUH‑72A Lakota and OH‑58A/C Kiowa aircraft, and he is a recipient of the Honorable Order of St. Michael.

He holds a doctorate in social psychology and military sociology from the University of Maryland at College Park, a master’s in public administration from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and a master’s in national security and strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College.

Awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit; Bronze Star Medal (three awards); Air Medal (two awards); Meritorious Service Medal (three awards); Army Commendation Medal (four awards); Army Achievement Medal (three awards); Army Presidential Unit Citation; Army Valorous Unit Award; Army Superior Unit Award (two awards); Combat Action Badge; Master Aviator Badge; Parachutist Badge; and Air Assault Badge.

COL Yastrzemsky is married to his wife, Coren, and they have one daughter, Frankie Sue, and one son, James Gunner.