Biography
Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) James “Justin” Nance, a native of southern and eastern New Mexico, received his commission from the Early Commissioning Program at the New Mexico Military Institute in 2006. LTC Nance’s first assignment was in the Texas Army National Guard; he served as a platoon leader in Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion 142nd Infantry Regiment, finishing his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Texas Tech University.
LTC Nance transitioned to Active Duty in 2009, attended the Basic Officer Leaders Course and was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, KY. There he served as Company Executive Officer in the Division Headquarters Battalion and deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom X. Upon redeployment, LTC Nance attended the Captain’s Career Course while completing his Master of Science Degree in Geological Engineering from Missouri University of Science and Technology.
LTC Nance’s first assignment following the Civil Affairs Qualification Course was as Team Leader for CAT 8025 in the 80th Civil Affairs Battalion at Fort Bliss, TX. He was stationed at Fort Hood in 2015 as the 1st Brigade (Iron Horse) Civil Affairs Officer (S9) with the 1st Cavalry Division. He deployed in support of the Republic of Korea Rotation before taking command of one of the few Army Ceremonial Units, the Horse Cavalry Detachment. There LTC Nance led over 200 mounted cavalry demonstrations across the United States. Following command and resident graduation from the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. LTC Nance returned to Fort Campbell as the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Deputy Civil Affairs Officer (G9). In 2020, LTC Nance deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve as the SOJTF-OIR Deputy Future Plans Officer (J35) before assuming command and deploying Echo Company, 96th Civil Affairs Battalion (Special Operations) (Airborne) to the Levant in support of the same named operation. Upon redeployment, he was assigned as the Battalion Executive Officer, 92nd Civil Affairs Battalion (Special Operations) (Airborne) and most recently as the Operations Officer for the Office of Special Warfare, 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne).
LTC Nance’s military education includes the Chemical Officer Basic Course, Engineer Captains Career Course, the Civil Affairs Qualification Course, Special Operations Language Course-Modern Standard Arabic; Survival, Escape, Resistance, Evasion-C; and the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, KS. His awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2OLC), Joint Service Commendation Medal (1OLC), Army Commendation Medal (2OLC), Joint Meritorious Unit Medal (1OLC), Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Army Space Badge, Gold German Armed Forces Badge of Military Proficiency and Italian Foreign Jump Wings.
LTC Nance is married to the lovely Major Chelsea Nance with U.S. Army Reserves and has two daughters, Hazel (3) and Cora (2).