James Rainey

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. He attended Eastern Kentucky University on a swimming scholarship, graduating in 1987. He holds master's degrees from the United States Army Command and General Staff College (School of Advanced Military Studies) and Troy University.

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.

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.

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. On 6 September 2022, Rainey was nominated for promotion to general and assigned as commanding general of the United States Army Futures Command. His nomination was confirmed by voice vote of the Senate on 29 September 2022.

Personal life He met his wife Tracy while they were at Eastern Kentucky University, and they have been married since 1988. They have two daughters, two sons-in-law, and a grandson.

Awards and decorations Rainey's promotion ceremony to general, being sworn in by Army chief of staff James C. McConville, October 2022.