MSOS Commanding Officer

Colonel James F. Glynn

Prior to joining the Marine Special Operations School, Colonel Glynn was assigned to Special Operations Command - Africa, Stuttgart, Germany, where he was the Director of Operations (J3) and Director of Strategy and Plans (J5). 

Colonel Glynn is a native of Albany, NY, whose service as a Marine began in May 1989 after graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. His initial assignment was with 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, where he served as a rifle platoon commander throughout Operations Desert Shield/ Desert Storm, and subsequently served as the 81 mm Mortar Platoon Commander. He has served in a variety of command and staff billets at Marine Barracks 8th & I, Washington, DC; 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, Camp Pendleton, CA; Marine Corps Recruiting Station, San Antonio, TX; and I Marine Expeditionary Force. Throughout these assignments he deployed with four Marine Expeditionary Units (Special Operations Capable) and while assigned to the G-3, Future Operations, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force he served in Fallujah, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II. He subsequently returned to Iraq in 2006-2007 as the Battalion Commander for 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Opreations Capable).

Colonel Glynn earned a Master of Science Degree in National Security Affairs from the U.S. Army War College, a Master of Science Degree in Military Studies from the Marine Corps Command and Staff College and is a graduate of the Marine Corps Amphibious Warfare School. His personal decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with one gold star, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Comabt "V" and one gold star, and the Combat Action Ribbon with one gold star.

He is married to the former Denise Lovett of Yulee, FL, and they have two children.