James Heisler attended Officer Candidate School in the summer of 2014. Upon graduating from the University of Notre Dame in May 2015, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps.
After completing The Basic School and the Infantry Officer Course, he reported to 3d Battalion, 5th Marines. He served as a Rifle Platoon Commander from July 2016 to August 2017. In August 2017, he became India Company’s Executive Officer. From May to November 2017, he deployed with the mechanized company in support of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit where he participated in exercises in Australia and Japan. He deployed a second time as the Executive Officer for the mechanized company in support of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s 2019 patrol and completed exercises in Jordan, Djibouti, and Brunei.
From January 2020 to July 2022, he was assigned to The Basic School in Quantico, VA. He served as the squad tactics instructor and as a Staff Platoon Commander for Basic Officer Course 6-20. In April 2021, he joined the Infantry Officer Course faculty and was assigned as the primary instructor for combat orders, scouting and patrolling, and mountain movement to contact.
In August 2022, he attended the Expeditionary Warfare School and was recognized as a distinguished graduate in May 2023.
From June 2023 to October 2024 he served as the commanding officer for Weapons Company, 2d Battalion, 5th Marines. In July 2023, he participated in Marine Aviation Support Activity in the Philippines. In April 2024, he deployed with the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin and participated in exercises in Australia and Indonesia.
In January 2025, he assumed his current role as Commanding Officer of Recruiting Station Louisville.
He is married to Sarah and they have three children: Grace, Peter, and Ava.