LIEUTENANT COLONEL JAMES D. PEACE, CAP
Lt Col James D. Peace is the Group IV Commander in the Texas Wing. He is responsible to the Corporation and the wing commander for ensuring objectives, policies, and operational directives are effectively executed while supporting the three congressionally chartered missions of Aerospace Education, Cadet Programs, and Emergency Services.
Lt Col Peace entered Civil Air Patrol in 1986 as a cadet in the Liberty County Composite Squadron, Baytown, Texas. He earned the General Ira C. Eaker Award and went on to receive a commission in the United States Air Force through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program. Lt Col Peace rejoined Civil Air Patrol while on active duty and served as the Deputy Commander for Cadets with the Magic City Composite Squadron, Minot, North Dakota. Since then, he has served in various command and staff assignments at the Squadron, Group, Wing, Region, and National levels. Prior to his current assignment, Lt Col Peace served as the Squadron Commander of the East Houston Cadet Squadron leading the unit to 11 consecutive Quality Cadet Unit Awards.
Lt Col Peace is a professional educator with 20 years of experience at the elementary and middle school levels. He holds certifications in 4 – 8 Generalist, Gifted & Talented, and English as a Second Language. Lt Col Peace currently serves as the Elective Department chairperson at his campus where he teaches Civil Air Patrol.
EDUCATION
1994 Bachelor of Arts in History, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
1996 Undergraduate Missile Training, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
1997 Master of Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Florida
1997 Squadron Leadership School, Bemidji, Minn.
1998 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
1998 Corporate Learning Course, Fargo, N.D.
1999 United States Coast Guard Inland Search and Rescue School, Grand Forks AFB, N.D.
2000 Master of Business Administration, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Florida
2005 Texas Educator Certificate, University of St. Thomas, Houston, Texas
2009 National Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2013 Unit Commander’s Course, Houston, Texas
2021 National Aerospace Education Officer School
ASSIGNMENTS
1. January 1997 – June 1999, Deputy Commander for Cadets, Magic City Comp Squadron, North Dakota Wing
2. March 1999 – August 2001, Director of Cadet Programs, North Dakota Wing
3. January 2007 – May 2008, Commander, Trinity Bay Composite Squadron, Texas Wing
4. January 2008 – October 2011, Deputy Chief of Staff for Cadet Programs, North Central Region
5. January 2011 – September 2015, Activity Director, National Blue Beret, National Headquarters
6. October 2011 – October 2016, Director of Cadet Programs, Texas Wing
7. July 2012 – April 2023, Commander, East Houston Cadet Squadron, Texas Wing
8. October 2016 – August 2021, Deputy Chief of Staff – Cadet Programs, Southwest Region
9. September 2018 – Present, National Cadet Special Activities Coordinator, National Headquarters
10. April 2023 – Present, Group IV Commander, Texas Wing
SPECIALTY TRACKS AND BADGES
Aerospace Education, Master
Cadet Programs, Master
Professional Development, Master
Observer Badge
Master Ground Team Badge
National Staff Identification Badge
Volunteer University Instructor Badge
Exceptional Service Award with silver clasp and bronze clasp
Meritorious Service Award with 4 bronze clasps
National Commander’s Commendation Award – three awards
Region Commander’s Commendation Award
Commander’s Commendation Award with silver and bronze clasp
Achievement Award with bronze clasp
Unit Citation Award with two bronze clasps
Gill Robb Wilson Award (#2748)
General Ira C. Eaker Award with silver star
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
1998 CAP-USAF Torch Award
1999 CAP-USAF Torch Award
2000 North Central Region Senior Member of the Year
2002 Houston Jaycee’s Young Educator of the Year
2019 VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Post Recognition Award
2020 CAP National Aerospace Education Teacher of the Year
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Cadet Lieutenant Colonel – Jul 1, 1990
First Lieutenant – Feb 10, 1997
Captain – Mar 2, 1998
Major – Mar 5, 2001
Lieutenant Colonel – May 25, 2005
(Current as of March 2024)