James Rainey

{{short description|U.S. Army general}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}} {{Use American English|date=April 2021}} {{Infobox military person | name = James E. Rainey | image = GEN James E. Rainey.jpg | image_size = | alt = | caption = Official portrait, 2022 | nickname = | birth_date = {{Birth based on age as of date|50|2015|8|7}}<ref>{{cite news |last=Coleman |first=Dash |date=2015-08-08| title=New 3rd ID commander 'honored' to lead Dog-faced Soldiers |newspaper=Savannah Morning News | url=https://www.savannahnow.com/story/news/2015/08/08/new-3rd-id-commander-honored-lead-dog-face-soldiers/13573084007/}}</ref> | birth_place = Brockton, Massachusetts, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | burial_place = | allegiance = United States | branch = United States Army | service_years = 1987–2025 | rank = General | service_number = | unit = | commands = {{plainlist| *United States Army Futures Command *United States Army Combined Arms Center *United States Army Command and General Staff College *Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan *3rd Infantry Division *United States Army Infantry School *3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division *2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment }} | battles = {{plainlist| *War in Afghanistan *Iraq War }} | awards = {{ubl|Defense Distinguished Service Medal|Army Distinguished Service Medal|Legion of Merit (4)|Bronze Star Medal (7)}} | relations = | other_work = | module = {{Listen|pos=center|embed=yes|filename=Opening Statement of GEN James E. Rainey at a HASC Subcommittee Hearing on FY2024 Army Modernization Programs.ogg|title=James Rainey's voice|type=speech|description=Rainey's opening statement at a House Armed Services Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee hearing on FY2024 Army modernization programs Recorded 26 April 2023}} }} '''James E. Rainey''' (born 1964 or 1965) is a former United States Army general who last served as the commanding general of United States Army Futures Command from 2022 to 2025. He previously served as Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army for Operations, Plans, and Training (G-3/5/7) from 2021 to 2022. Before that, he served concurrently as commanding general of the United States Army Combined Arms Center, commandant of the United States Army Command and General Staff College and commanding general of Fort Leavenworth, from 2019 to 2021. Prior to that, he commanded the Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan from 2018 to 2019.

==Early life and education== Rainey was born in Brockton, Massachusetts but grew up in Akron, Ohio.<ref>{{cite book |first=Matt M. |last=Matthews |editor-last=Gott |editor-first=Kendall D. |editor-link=Kendall Gott |title=Eyewitness to War, Volume 1: U S Army in Operation AL FAJR: An Oral History |chapter=Lieutenant Colonel James Rainey (19 Apr 2006) |date=2006 |publisher=Combat Studies Institute Press |location=Fort Leavenworth, Kansas |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jp1Zb-C_sOkC&dq=Army+%22James+E.+Rainey%22+%22Ohio%22&pg=PA109}}</ref>{{rp|109}} He attended Eastern Kentucky University on a swimming scholarship, graduating in 1987.<ref name="eku">{{Cite web |last=Russell |first=Elise |title=Gen. Rainey's Four-Star Formula |date=20 September 2023 |access-date=23 November 2025 |work=www.eku.edu |publisher=Eastern Kentucky University |url=https://www.eku.edu/news/gen-raineys-four-star-formula/ }}</ref> He holds master's degrees from the United States Army Command and General Staff College (School of Advanced Military Studies) and Troy University.<ref name="AUSA">{{Cite web |title=General James E. Rainey |work=Association of the United States Army |access-date=23 November 2025 |url=https://www.ausa.org/people/general-james-e-rainey }}</ref>

==Army career== Rainey was commissioned as an infantry officer through ROTC at Eastern Kentucky University in 1987. As a lieutenant, he served as a platoon leader and company executive officer in the 3rd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division and later as a rifle platoon leader and company executive officer in the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment.<ref name="Army.mil">{{Cite web |title=Brig. Gen. James Rainey |work=www.carson.army.mil |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130719110228/http://www.carson.army.mil/units/4id/leaders/cmd-dc-manuever.html |url=http://www.carson.army.mil/units/4id/leaders/cmd-dc-manuever.html |archive-date=19 July 2013 |access-date=23 November 2025 }} {{PD-notice}}</ref>

Following the Infantry Advanced Course, he commanded the Long Range Surveillance Detachment in the 1st Cavalry Division and Hotel Company, 3rd U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard). Rainey was then assigned as a Joint Chiefs of Staff intern in Washington, D.C. His next assignments included: chief of plans for the 2nd Infantry Division; operations officer for 1st Battalion, 9th Cavalry; and executive officer to the III Corps commander.<ref name="Army.mil" />

During Operation Iraqi Freedom I, he was a G3 operations officer in the V Corps assault command post. Following that, he was the executive officer of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, and then he commanded Task Force 2-7 CAV during Operation Iraqi Freedom II. Following battalion command, Rainey served as the chief of war on terror plans for U.S. European Command. He next served as the G3 of the 4th Infantry Division and the Multi-National Division-Baghdad (MND-B), and commanded the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team (HBCT), 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson and in Iraq. Following command, he served as the U.S. Army Fellow at the Korbel School of International Relations, Denver University.<ref name="Army.mil" />

Rainey became the deputy commanding general (maneuver) of the 4th Infantry Division in July 2013, and was promoted to brigadier general on 2 August 2013. From July 2014 to July 2015, he served as the commandant of the United States Army Infantry School. He was then the commanding general of the 3rd Infantry Division until May 2017, and was promoted to major general on 2 May 2016. From June 2017 to August 2018, Rainey was the Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff of the United States Army. He became the commander of the Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan in October 2018, and in the same month was promoted to lieutenant general. He was the commanding general of the United States Army Combined Arms Center and Commandant of the United States Army Command and General Staff College from December 2019 to May 2021.<ref name="GOMO">{{Cite web|title=Lieutenant General James E. Rainey - General Officer Management Office|url=https://www.gomo.army.mil/public/Biography/usa-8160/jamese-rainey|access-date=2021-04-16|website=www.gomo.army.mil|archive-date=7 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240407051644/https://www.gomo.army.mil/public/Biography/usa-8160/jamese-rainey}}</ref><ref name="armybio">{{Cite web|title=Lieutenant General James E.Rainey|url=https://usacac.army.mil/sites/default/files/documents/bios/LTG_Rainey_bio.pdf |publisher=United States Army Combined Arms Center |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122032606/https://usacac.army.mil/sites/default/files/documents/bios/LTG_Rainey_bio.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 November 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |first=Tisha |last=Swart-Entwistle |date=2019-12-17 |title=Rainey takes command of Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth |url=https://www.army.mil/article/231092/rainey_takes_command_of_combined_arms_center_and_fort_leavenworth |access-date=2021-04-16 |website=United States Army |language=en}}</ref>

From June 2021 to October 2022, Rainey was the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army for Operations, Plans, and Training (G-3/5/7), in Washington, D.C.<ref name="GOMO" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=General Officer Assignments|url=https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Releases/Release/Article/2550465/general-officer-assignments/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210903214239/https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Releases/Release/Article/2550465/general-officer-assignments/|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 September 2021|access-date=2021-04-16|website=U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE|language=en-US}}</ref> On 6 September 2022, Rainey was nominated for promotion to general<ref name=nomination>{{cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/117th-congress/2510|title=PN2510 — Lt. Gen. James E. Rainey — Army|date=2022-09-29|website=United States Congress|access-date=2022-09-30}}</ref> and assigned as commanding general of the United States Army Futures Command.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Beinart |first=Matthew |date=2022-09-07 |title=After Nine Months, Army Nominates New Leader For Futures Command |url=https://www.defensedaily.com/after-nine-months-army-nominates-new-leader-for-futures-command/army/ |access-date=2022-09-07 |website=Defense Daily |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Judson |first=Jen |date=2022-09-07 |title=US Army nominates new Futures Command chief |url=https://www.militarytimes.com/smr/defense-news-conference/2022/09/07/us-army-nominates-new-futures-command-chief/ |access-date=2022-09-07 |website=Military Times |language=en}}</ref> His nomination was confirmed by voice vote of the Senate on 29 September 2022.<ref name=nomination/> Rainey was promoted on 4 October 2022 and took up his post as commander of Army Futures Command.<ref name="GOMO" /> He retired on 1 October 2025, when Futures Command was merged with the Training and Doctrine Command to form the new United States Army Transformation and Training Command.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mitchell |first=Billy |title=One thing Gen. Rainey says he left unaccomplished as he retires |date=26 September 2025 |work=DefenseScoop |access-date=24 November 2025 |url=https://defensescoop.com/2025/09/26/one-thing-gen-rainey-says-he-left-unaccomplished-as-he-retires/ }}</ref>

==Personal life== He met his wife Tracy while they were at Eastern Kentucky University, and they have been married since 1988.<ref name="eku" /> They have two daughters, two sons-in-law, and a grandson.<ref name="AUSA" />

==Awards and decorations== [[File:GEN James E. Rainey Promotion Ceremony (2).jpg|thumb|Rainey's promotion ceremony to general, being sworn in by Army chief of staff James C. McConville, October 2022.]] {| |125px Combat Infantryman Badge |- |125px Expert Infantryman Badge |- |85px Senior Parachutist Badge |- |75px Ranger tab |- |80px Air Assault Badge |- |90px Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge |- |90px Army Staff Identification Badge |- |75px 3rd Infantry Division Combat Service Identification Badge |- |110px German Parachutist badge in bronze |- |75px 7th Cavalry Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia |- |50px 7 Overseas Service Bars |} {| |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Defense Distinguished Service ribbon|width=60}} Defense Distinguished Service Medal |- |{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|ribbon=U.S. Army Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}} Army Distinguished Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Legion of Merit ribbon.svg|width=60}}14px14px14px Legion of Merit with three oak leaf clusters |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Bronze Star Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}}14px14px Bronze Star Medal with one silver and one bronze oak leaf clusters |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Defense Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}} Defense Meritorious Service Medal |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}}14px14px14px14px Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Joint Service Commendation ribbon.svg|width=60}} Joint Service Commendation Medal |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Army Commendation Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}}14px14px Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Joint Service Achievement Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}} Joint Service Achievement Medal |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Army Achievement Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}}14px14px Army Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=United States Army and U.S. Air Force Presidential Unit Citation ribbon.svg|width=60}} Army Presidential Unit Citation |- |{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|ribbon=Joint Meritorious Unit Award ribbon.svg|width=60}} Joint Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf cluster |- |{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|ribbon=Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|width=60}} Meritorious Unit Commendation with oak leaf cluster |- |{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}} National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}} Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal |- |{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|name=Afghanistan Campaign ribbon|width=60}} Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star |- |{{ribbon devices|number=5|type=service-star|ribbon=Iraq Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}} Iraq Campaign Medal with silver campaign star |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary ribbon.svg|width=60}} Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Global War on Terrorism Service ribbon.svg|width=60}} Global War on Terrorism Service Medal |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Korea Defense Service ribbon.svg|width=60}} Korea Defense Service Medal |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|name=Humanitarian Service ribbon|width=60}} Humanitarian Service Medal |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Army Service Ribbon.svg|width=60}} Army Service Ribbon |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=numeral|ribbon=Army Overseas Service Ribbon.svg|width=60}}11px Army Overseas Service Ribbon with bronze award numeral 6 |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=NATO Medal ISAF ribbon bar.svg|width=60}} NATO Medal for Service with ISAF |}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{commons-inline|James E. Rainey}}

{{s-start}} {{s-mil}} {{S-bef |before= Ryan F. Gonsalves }} {{s-ttl |title = Deputy Commanding General (Maneuver) of the 4th Infantry Division |years = 2013–2014 }} {{s-aft |after=Randy George }} {{S-bef |before= Robert E. Choppa }} {{s-ttl |title = Commandant of the United States Army Infantry School |years = 2014–2015 }} {{s-aft |after=Peter Jones }} {{s-bef | before = John M. Murray }} {{s-ttl | title = Commanding General of the 3rd Infantry Division | years = 2015–2017 }} {{s-aft | after = Leopoldo A. Quintas }} {{s-bef | before = Paul E. Funk II }} {{s-ttl | title = Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Plans, and Training of the United States Army | years = 2017–2018 }} {{s-aft | after = Charles A. Flynn }} {{s-bef | before = Robin Fontes }} {{s-ttl | title = Commander of the Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan | years = 2018–2019 }} {{s-aft | after = Edwin J. Deedrick }} {{s-bef | before = Michael Lundy }} {{s-ttl | title = Commanding General of the United States Army Combined Arms Center and Commandant of the United States Army Command and General Staff College | years = 2019–2021 }} {{s-aft | after = Theodore D. Martin }} {{s-bef | before = Charles A. Flynn }} {{s-ttl | title = Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Plans, and Training of the United States Army | years = 2021–2022 }} {{s-aft | after = Patrick E. Matlock }} {{s-bef | before = James M. Richardson {{small|Acting}} }} {{s-ttl | title = Commanding General of United States Army Futures Command | years = 2022–2025 }} {{S-non | reason = Position abolished}} {{s-end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rainey, James E.}} Category:Living people Category:Place of birth missing (living people) Category:Eastern Kentucky University alumni Category:Troy University alumni Category:Recipients of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (US Army) Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit Category:United States Army generals Category:United States Army personnel of the Iraq War Category:United States Army personnel of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:Commandants of the United States Army Command and General Staff College Category:United States Army Command and General Staff College alumni