Brigadier General James Albert Teal, Jr. was commissioned an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School 3 June 1953. His major permanent duty assignments include: Chief, Personnel Actions Section, Military Intelligence Branch, Office Personnel Directorate, Office of Personnel operations, United States Army, Washington, D.C.; Commander, United States Army Security Agency, Southern Command, Fort Clayton, Canal Zone; Operations Officer, Reconnaissance Program Division, J3, Organization, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington, D.C.; Deputy Commander, United States Army Security Agency Field Station, Augsburg, Germany, United States Army, Security Agency (Europe); Commander, 502d Army Security Agency Group, United States Army, Security Agency (Europe); Executive, Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence, United States Army, Washington, D.C.; Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence, United States army, Washington, D.C. | His awards and decorations include: Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge, Army Commendation Medal (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters), Meritorious Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Legion of Merit (with Oak Leaf Cluster).