James J. Mingus

James J. Mingus (born 1964) is a retired American general who last served as the 39th vice chief of staff of the United States Army from 2024 to 2026. He was previously the director of the Joint Staff from 2022 to 2024, director for operations of the Joint Staff from 2020 to 2022, and commanding general of the 82nd Airborne Division from 2018 to 2020.

A native of Iowa, he enlisted in the Iowa Army National Guard in 1981 before being commissioned through the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps in 1985. Mingus has had multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. He is a graduate of Winona State University and the United States Army War College.

Early life and education A native of Spencer, Iowa, he enlisted in the Iowa Army National Guard in 1981 and was commissioned in 1985 through the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps while he was studying at Winona State University. Mingus was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army's Field Artillery branch, and later became an infantryman in 1987,

From 2000 to 2003 he served in the 1st Battalion of the 75th Ranger Regiment, including as a liaison officer and operations officer. After that Mingus was made the chief of the Joint Planning Group, Joint Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg. In 2005 he assumed command of the 4th Ranger Training Battalion, Ranger Training Brigade, and in July 2007 he assumed command of the Regimental Special Troops, 75th Ranger Regiment. His tenure as the 39th vice chief of staff of the Army began on 4 January 2024, when he was sworn in by the chief of staff, General Randy George. As the vice chief Mingus has been a contributor to the implementation of the Army Transformation Initiative, a program that includes incorporating new technology into the Army. In October 2025, it was announced that Donald Trump nominated Christopher LaNeve to replace Mingus as the vice chief, even though he is less than two years into his term. He relinquished the post to LaNeve and retired on 6 February 2026.

Dates of promotion + Rank Branch Date Brigadier generalArmy 2 November 2014 Major general 2 August 2017 Lieutenant general 1 October 2020 General 4 January 2024