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James S. Hartsell
Retired U.S. Marine Corps Major General James S. Hartsell is the Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs (FDVA).
Major General Hartsell began his Marine Corps career in 1981 as an Enlisted Marine and served with 3rd Force Reconnaissance Company, Mobile, AL. Upon graduation from University of South Alabama, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1983. After completing The Basic School and Infantry Officer Course he was assigned to 2nd Battalion 3rd Marines in Kaneohe Bay HI where from 1984-1987 he served as a Rifle Platoon Commander, Anti-Armor Platoon Commander, Battalion Intelligence Officer (S-2), Rifle Company & Weapons Company Executive Officer.
From 1987-1990, he served as a Series Commander and Company Commander at MCRD Parris Island SC. In 1989 he was assigned as the OIC of the Parris Island Shooting Team and in 1990 joined the Marine Corps Pistol Team in Quantico VA and earned his Distinguished Pistol Badge. He attended the Amphibious Warfare School in Quantico VA from 1990-91 and then served as a Rifle Company Commander with 1st Battalion 6th Marines in Camp Lejeune NC from 1991-93 and participated in Operation Provide Promise as part of 22 Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable). In 1993, he was assigned to II MEF Special Operations Training Group Amphibious Raids Branch.
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In 1994, he transitioned to the Marine Corps Reserve and joined 3rd Battalion 23d Marines where he served as a Rifle Company Commander and then from 1998-2000, he served as the Battalion's S3A and then Operations Officer. In 2001, he was assigned as the Commanding Officer of 4th Reconnaissance Battalion in San Antonio TX. During this tour he was activated from March - August 2003 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 1 taking on the additional role of Battalion Inspector-Instructor.
In 2004, he was mobilized in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 2 and deployed with 1st Marine Division as the Division's Senior Liaison Officer to I Marine Expeditionary Force in Al-Anbar Iraq. From 2005-2007, he served as a member and then Officer in Charge of the 4th Marine Division Forward-West in Camp Pendleton CA. From 2008-2010, he was assigned as the II Marine Expeditionary Force Command Element IMA Chief of Staff in Camp Lejeune NC and during this tour was mobilized in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and deployed to Afghanistan as the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade Senior Liaison Officer to the NATO Regional Command - South.
Upon promotion to Brigadier General in 2010, he was assigned as the Deputy Commanding General, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force (Mobilization). He then served as Commanding General of 4th Marine Division from 2012-2014. From 2014-2018, he was assigned as a senior Joint Flag Officer in the US Pacific Command where he served as the Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, as J5 Strategic Planning & Policy Director, as Chief of Staff, and also as the Director of the Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies. In 2018, he retired after 37 years of faithful service to the Marine Corps and our Nation.
He was appointed Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs (FDVA) by Gov. Ron DeSantis and unanimously approved by Florida’s three Cabinet Officers. Operating as the premier point of entry for Florida’s 1.4 million Veterans, FDVA operates a network of nine State Veterans’ Homes and provides statewide outreach to connect Veterans with their earned services, benefits, and support.
Concurrent with his Reserve military career, General Hartsell completed a successful 22-year civilian career in the Healthcare Industry where he provided leadership in Marketing, Product Management, U.S. and Global Business Development, and Hospital Administration. He also is a former elected president of the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs (NASDVA)
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