Lieutenant Colonel James P. Connolly is originally from the small town of Corinth, Maine. He attended the University of Maine beginning in 2004. He was accepted to Platoon Leaders Class, Officer Candidate School, early in 2005. He graduated from the University of Maine with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and commissioned in May of 2008.
Following graduation and commissioning, Second Lieutenant (2ndLt) Connolly then reported to The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia. After TBS, 2ndLt Connolly reported to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola for aviation preflight indoctrination (API) in April 2009. Upon completion of API 2ndLt Connolly was then assigned to Training Squadron Six (VT-6) at NAS Whiting Field. Following completion of Primary Flight Training in July of 2010, First Lieutenant (1stLt) Connolly reported to Marine Aviation Training Support Group 22 (MATSG-22) in Corpus Christi, Texas. In Corpus Christi, he then completed advanced multi-engine training with VT-31. He earned his wings of gold in February of 2011.
In March of 2011, 1stLt Connolly reported to MCAS Cherry Point for training with the KC-130J Aircrew Training Unit (ATU). Upon completion he was then assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 (VMGR-252) in September 2011. Over the course of his tour with 252, he served as the Adjutant, Legal Officer, S-1 Officer, and as Flight Duty Officer, while earning his designation as a KC-130J Aircraft Commander. During this tour he also completed two short deployments in support of the Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force (SPMAGTF) – Africa, and support of crisis and contingency operations in North Africa, respectively. He also deployed in support of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit and SPMAGTF – Crisis Response Africa.
Upon selection to Naval Postgraduate School, Captain (Capt) Connolly then reported to Monterey, CA, in June of 2014. There he studied Space Systems Operations, and graduated in June of 2016 with a M.S. in Space Systems Operations, receiving recognition as the top Space Systems Operations student. Following graduation Capt Connolly executed orders to I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF) at Camp Pendleton.
At I MEF Capt Connolly served three years in the G-3 as the command’s sole Space Systems Operations Officer and Special Technical Operations Chief. He was promoted to Major during this tour, and received orders in 2019 to VMGR-252. Upon arrival at VMGR-252 Maj Connolly served in the billet of Assistant Operations Officer. He later served as Detachment Officer In Charge (OIC) for multiple training detachments stateside and deployments OCONUS, the most significant of which was a six month deployment where he also served as the Aviation Combat Element Executive Officer. Upon return from deployment, Maj Connolly finished his tour as Executive Officer for VMGR-252. During this tour Maj Connolly earned the qualifications/designations of Instructor Pilot, Harvest HAWK Fire Control Officer, Harvest HAWK aircraft commander, Section Lead, and Tactical Refueling Area Commander.
In June of 2022, Maj Connolly was assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 14, 2d MAW, Cherry Point, NC, as the Personnel Support Detachment 14 Commanding Officer. He received promotion to his current rank in February 2024. He continued serving MAG-14 as the Operations Officer beginning in May of 2024, and currently in his role as the Executive Officer.
LtCol Connolly's military education further includes: Expeditionary Warfare School, Naval War College (with distinction), Joint Special Technical Operations Planner's Course, Intermediate MAGTF Information Operations Practitioner Course, Naval Space Operations Course, and Defense Operations Security Planner's Course.
His personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals.