Command Sergeant Major James A. Barkley was born in Columbus, Ohio, on 29 May 1958. Holding a number of leadership positions, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in September 1976. His last assignment was as the last Chemical Senior Enlisted Advisor and Command Sergeant Major of the Soldier Biological and Chemical Command in support of Major General John C. Doesburg. He also served as the 8th Chemical Corps Regimental Command Sergeant Major in support of Brigadier General Patricia L. Nilo and as the Commandant of the III Corps Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Fort Hood, Texas.

Command Sergeant Major Barkley’s major awards include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (4th Award), Army Commendation Medal (2nd Award), Army Achievement Medal (6th Award), National Defense Service Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Southwest Asia Medals, Drill Sergeant Identification Badge and Order of St. George, the Ancient Order of the Dragon and Order of the Dragon.

Command Sergeant Major Barkley is a lifetime member of the Chemical Corps Regimental Association. He is also an annual member of the Noncommissioned Officers Association, the Association of the United States Army and the National Teachers Association.

After his retirement in 2004, Command Sergeant Major Barkley joined the ARNORTH Civil Support Readiness Group. In his position, he is responsible for designing, developing and coordinating the readiness training for National Guard Civil Support Teams, National Guard CBRNE Enhanced Response Force Package units and U.S. Army Reserve Decontamination Reconnaissance and Casualty Decontamination Companies in the U.S. Army North area of operations. These organizations are engaged in CBRNE detection, identification, mitigation and in some instances elimination.