Colonel James R. Anderson was commissioned an Engineer Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School, Class 51-79, 16 October 1979. His first duty assignment was as Platoon Leader, 1435th, 1436th Engineer Company, Bay City, Michigan. | His subsequent duty assignments include:Company Commander, 1435th Engineer Company, Bay City, Michigan; Battalion Staff, Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment 207th Engineer Battalion, Bay City, Michigan; Post Commander, Fort Custer, Augusta, Michigan; Battalion Commander, 507th Engineer Battalion, Wyoming, Michigan; Brigade Commander, 63rd Brigade (TC) Jackson, Michigan; Class Vice President, United States Army War College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania; Brigade Commander, Engineer Brigade 38th ID, Flint, Michigan.