Lieutenant Colonel James D. Whitlow was commissioned in the United States Marine Corps in December of 2005 through the Officer Candidate Course in Quantico, VA after graduating from North Carolina State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Construction Engineering and Management.
Upon completion of The Basic School he reported for Naval Aviation Flight Training in Pensacola, FL and was designated a Naval Aviator in October 2008. He then reported to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Training Squadron 204, MCAS New River, NC for training in the MV-22B Osprey.
LtCol Whitlow’s first operational assignment was to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 (VMM-261) in March of 2009. While with the Raging Bulls he completed two Deployments; first to Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan in 2009, followed by the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard the USS IWO JIMA in 2012. His collateral billet assignments during this tour included Current Operations Officer, Flight Equipment/Ordnance Officer, Airframes Officer and Quality Assurance Officer.
In June 2013 LtCol Whitlow received orders to Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron 22 (VMX-22). While with VMX-22 he attended Naval Aviation Safety Officer School in Pensacola, FL and served as the Aviation Safety Officer and NATOPS Officer. Additional duties while with the Argonauts included Operational Test Director to ensure the continuity and expansion of the operational capabilities of the MV-22B.
Following his tour with VMX-22, LtCol Whitlow reported to Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1) in June 2014. Collateral duties during his time with HMX-1 included current operations and White House Liaison Officer (WHLO). As a WHLO he planned and facilitated various travel requirements for the President of the United States, Vice President, various Heads of State and visiting foreign officials as directed by the Marine Corps and the White House Military Office. During his time LtCol
Whitlow planned and executed over 30 missions worldwide in direct support of the President of the United States.
In August of 2017 LtCol Whitlow received orders to join the “Evil Eyes” of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 163 (VMM-163) and served as the Director of Safety and Standardization, Operations Officer, Aircraft Maintenance Officer and Executive Officer. While assigned to the “Evil Eyes” LtCol Whitlow deployed aboard the USS BOXER as the Aircraft Maintenance Officer of VMM-163(REIN) in support of WESTPAC 19-2. Following the WESTPAC 19-2 deployment LtCol Whitlow assumed duties as the Executive Officer and served in this capacity until departing the squadron in July 2020.
LtCol Whitlow then received orders to the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA for a Masters program in Operations Analysis. His two-year curriculum culminated with the publication of a research project titled “Rapid Operational Design of Airlift Networks in Contested Environments” and received the Military Operations Research Society / Stephen A. Tisdale Award.
After earning a Master Degree in Operations Analysis, in July of 2022, LtCol Whitlow executed orders to join Installations and Logistics (I&L) Command at Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC) to serve as an Operations Analyst. While assigned to I&L LtCol Whitlow developed and led a newly formed Compliance Branch responsible for modernizing governance, risk management and compliance activities in order to enhance enterprise level auditability. Additional duties included establishing advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence capabilities within HQMC to strengthen information flow and decision making.
LtCol Whitlow has flown more than 2,000 hours in the MV-22B Osprey. His personal decorations include Strike/Flight Air Medal with numeral “3”, Meritorious Service Medal (Gold Star in lieu of second award), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.