Colonel James-Allen Schuster was commissioned a Field Artillery Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School Class 2-78, 22 February 1978. His first duty assignment was as a Field Artillery Forward Observer with the 2nd Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment, Friedburg, Germany. | His subsequent duty assignments include: Executive Officer, HHB, 2/27th Field Artillery Regiment, Friedburg, Germany; Commander, HHB, 2nd Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment, Friedburg, Germany; S-4 Logistic Officer, 2\27th Field Artillery Regiment, Friedburg. Germany; S-4 Logistic Officer, Field Artillery School Brigade, Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Commander, B Battery, 1st Battalion, 143rd Field Artillery Regiment, Dallas, Texas; G-3 Operation Officer, 49th Armored Division, Austin, Texas; ADPS Officer (G-6), 377th Theater Army Area Command, New Orleans Louisiana; S-3 Operation Officer, 469th Finance Group, New Orleans, Louisiana; Deputy Chief of Staff, Resource Management, 377th Theater Army Area Command, New Orleans, Louisiana; Deputy Chief of Staff, Comptroller (G-8), 377th Theater Support Command, New Orleans, Louisiana; Commander, 469th Finance Group, New Orleans, Louisiana; Deputy Commander, 3361h Finance Command, Camp Arifian, Kuwait; Commander, 336th Finance Command, Camp Arifian, Kuwait; Chief of Staff (Rear), 377th Theater Support Command, New Orleans, Louisiana; Deputy Chief of Staff (G-8) Comptroller, 99th Readiness Regional Command, Coraopolis, Pennsylvania. | Colonel Schuster's military education and training includes: Field Artillery Officer Basic Course, Field Artillery Officer Advance Course a Ordnance Officer Advance Course, Military Intelligence Advance Course, a Quartermaster Advance Course, Combined Arms Staff Service School (CAS3), Finance Officer Advance Course, Comptroller Course, Command & General Staff College, Certified Defense Financial Manager Course, Program Management Professional. | His military awards include: Legion of Merit, Bronze Star w/ Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal w/ 5 Oak Leaf Clusters, Joint Army Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal w/ 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Joint Army Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal w/ 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserves Component Achievement Medal (5th Award), National Defense Service Medal w/ 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Operation Enduring Freedom Expeditionary Medal, Operation Enduring Freedom Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (M device), Army Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon (5th Award), South West Asia Service Medal; National Guard Army Commendation Medal, Expert Infantryman Badge, and the Combat Action Badge.