LTC James Marques, 57A Simulations Officer, 84th Training Command.

By Jessica Sisavath

Lieutenant Colonel James Marques is retiring at the end of the summer from the Army Reserve and National Guard which he has dedicated 37 years of service to. A Somerville native, he joined the Army National Guard in 1983 during his time as a student at UMASS Lowell.

When Marques joined he did not know much about the National Guard. He had two things in mind which was to fulfill his curiosity of how the Army works and take advantages of having his education paid for.

An adventurous type, his curiosity remained throughout his deployments. He started his basic training in Fort Dix, New Jersey, and went to the U.S. Army Aberdeen Proving Grounds of Maryland to study to be a mechanic. He became an officer in the Army National Guard and in 1992 became a second Lieutenant.

When 9/11 occurred, Marques’ career went full speed. In 2004, he received a letter stating that he would be deployed in Iraq. He says when he received the letter he thought, “This is bigger than me or anyone else. It’s honorable to serve something that’s bigger than you.”

Marques learned that serving his nation was an important lesson for him. He became a captain and was deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan for logistics and civil affairs. He worked on a division staff, battalions staff, and brigade staff. He learned the value of teamwork. He went on to various missions which led him to what he is doing today.

As a Lieutenant Colonel in Fort Hood, Texas, Marques is working on plans for warfighter missions for those who are going overseas. He is still going overseas to mostly Iraq and Kuwait. He will continue to go on missions and carry his current duties until his retirement.

When Marques retires, he plans to work for the military as a civilian contractor at the U.S. Department of Defense with similar duties. He plans to continue to volunteer after retirement in his local veteran community whether it be in Massachusetts or Texas. He is looking to perhaps teach Junior ROTC in a high school in the future.

Marques is excited about his next chapter and what it will bring. This new chapter will also determine if he will return to Somerville permanently. He doesn’t see himself separating himself from the community in Somerville. He plans to be in touch during visits and attending ceremonial veteran events. After retirement, he is most excited about enjoying his mornings and taking the time rest.

The advice Marques would give to new recruits is, “Make sure you go into a branch of the military, job, or functional area that speaks to your personality. I say that for a reason. If I was an Army guy with an Army personality, Type A. But I went in the Air Force. It wouldn’t do me well. I probably wouldn’t like it.” He believes it is best for new recruits to play into their strengths. As a leader, he has seen different generations come into the Army but says their mission, which is to serve, has always remained the same. Marques believes that anyone who serves his communities, including civilians, should always be respected.

One of Marques’ most memorable deployments was back in 2008 in Al Shaab in Baghdad, Iraq. He was on a humanitarian mission as the civil teams leader, cultivating relationships in Al Shaab by handing kids book and crayons, giving financial support to people who had damaged homes caused by Americans, and checking on families on a regular basis.

This mission influenced Marques’ perspective on the Iraqi people. James learned that they are the same as Americans, trying to make a living and supporting their families. He has kept in touch with some of the people that have touched his heart that he has helped.

Marques is looking forward to visit one friend from his mission in Al Shaab in the Netherlands who had a great influence on him.  He says, “Not every single person in Iraq is out to kill us. Just like not every single person in New York is a bad person.”

Marques says, “What I’m going to miss the most is being in uniform, getting some acknowledgement from folks, and just being able to serve in uniform.” There is change in behavior from the community when one is not in uniform, the privileges and honor when a person receives when they are in uniform is something not everyone has a chance to do. James respects the honor his receives when he is uniform. He teaches the kids that approach him when he is in uniform to salute. As he exits the Army, he has gained respect for past veterans and is proud to be a respected veteran who served in war.

Marques says, “Never in my life ever have I said I regret doing this. It’s all been worth it.” Reflecting back on an experience in 1989 when he saw many people go back home after training, he thought, “This looks like a good retirement for me and I’m going to stick with it and staying with it when the crowd didn’t want to stay with it was a tough thing to do but it was the right thing to do. And here I am now about to collect the rest of my life.”

This a special time for Marques as he prepares to retire. He will also receive a Legion of Merit award, which one must work really hard for. It will be a proud and humbling moment when he receives this award.

The words of wisdom he would pass on to anyone is to “find your purpose in life. They’ll drive who you are,” and, “Say yes when offered opportunities.”