James began her federal career with the U.S. Customs Service in 1998 at the port of Oakland as a member of the Contraband Enforcement Team, and then became an Enforcement Rover at the San Francisco International Airport. In 2000, she moved to Grand Forks, British Columbia, Canada, in support of the New Millennium project and earned the Commissioner’s Millennium Award. Three years ago, James transferred to the Office of Border Unification in Washington, D.C. She currently works in the Traveler Policies Division, Office of Field Operations, Traveler Security and Facilitation group.

Photo Credit: James Tourtellotte

Nicolle James

James joined the Army Reserve on April 5, 1990, as a patient administrative specialist. She is a core member of the 2d Medical Brigade, which is headquartered in San Pablo, California, and has been in that unit her entire Army Reserve career. She has been the Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) in Charge of the Patient Administration Division/Medical Regulating Office since 1997. She has been performing the duties as the command’s Equal Opportunity Advisor (EOA) since 2001.

On June 24, 2005, James received the 4th Annual Merlin G. Pope, Jr. Outstanding US Army Reserve Equal Opportunity Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year Award. The award was established four years ago to recognize individual outstanding equal opportunity leadership qualities in honor of the late Merlin Pope, Jr., a nationally known leader and pioneer in diversity.

This award was presented to James in recognition of the outstanding manner she provided leadership which led to qualified minorities and women being integrated into and promoted in the Army Reserve. Additionally, James received the Bronze medal for exceptionally meritorious service during Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

In February 2003, shortly after arriving in Washington, D.C., James’ unit was activated and deployed to Baghdad, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II. James held one of the most critical positions as the Brigade Medical Regulating Office Non Commissioned Officer In Charge, where she managed a staff of 10 personnel. One of her primary responsibilities in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II was to coordinate the transportation of injured U.S. service personnel, injured coalition forces, and other critically injured patients to the appropriate Level III Medical Treatment Facilities. James also functioned as a counselor to her troops, which enabled them to have their private fears and concerns about being in Iraq personally addressed.

In addition to James’ day-to-day duties, she was appointed as one of the Brigade’s Equal Opportunity Advisors (EOA). For twelve months, she continually performed EOA responsibilities in conjunction with her other responsibilities. James comments she had no idea equal opportunity was so important in combat. She states, “I was not prepared, and I had to get prepared very quickly.” James also expressed that her personal motto is, “Never disregard a soldier’s concerns and/or feelings.” James volunteered to remain in Iraq for an additional month to serve as the temporary EOA.

James graduated from Columbus University in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice.

CBP salutes James’ dedication to duty and accomplishment, and we wholeheartedly welcome her back home. Thank you, Nicolle, for your service to our country and for all that you do for us here at CBP.