Brigadier General James B. Laster
Commanding General
Eastern Recruiting Region
Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C.

Brigadier General Laster is a native of Dallas, Texas, and was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1978 through the Platoon Leaders Course Program. Upon completion of The Basic School, he reported to 3d Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, where he served as a rifle platoon commander and rifle company executive officer. In January 1981, First Lieutenant Laster transferred to Marine Barracks, Washington, DC where he served as a platoon commander, company executive officer, and White House Social Aide.

In November 1983, Captain Laster was assigned to 7th Marines and served two years as a rifle company commander, one year as weapons company commander in 3d Battalion, 7th Marines and completed his tour as the regimental assistant operations officer.

In December 1987, he attended the Army Airborne School and Advanced Infantry Officers Course at Fort Benning, Georgia, and was a Distinguished Graduate. Captain Laster transferred to 25th Marines in September 1989 and assumed duties as Inspector Instructor for Company A, 1stBn, 25th Marines, and served as the I-I Operations Officer for 25th Marine Regiment. In May 1991, Major Laster was assigned as Aide-de-Camp to the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General C. E. Mundy, Jr. He subsequently attended Marine Corps Command and Staff College and graduated with distinction.

Returning to the Fleet Marine Force in June 1993, he commanded Headquarters and Service Company, I MEF, and Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Intelligence Group. In January 1995, he assumed duties as Executive Officer, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines and deployed to the Arabian Gulf with the 15th MEU (SOC). During this assignment he also served as Commander, Maritime Special Purpose Force (MSPF), 15th MEU (SOC). In August 1996, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and assumed duties as Operations Officer and deployed again to the Arabian Gulf/CENTCOM AOR. In November 1997, he was assigned as Deputy AC/S G-7 and Inspector, 1st Marine Division. During the period January to March 1998, Lieutenant Colonel Laster deployed to Africa as J-3 of Joint Task Force Kenya in support of Operation Noble Response, Humanitarian Relief operations in Kenya, East Africa. Lieutenant Colonel Laster assumed command of 3d Battalion, 4th Marines in May 1998 and moved the battalion to Twentynine Palms, California. He relinquished command in June 2000 and was transferred to the National War College.

Upon completion of the National War College in June 2001, he was promoted to colonel, and was assigned to the Joint Staff as Chief of War Plans, J-7. Following the events of September 11th, he assumed duties in the Joint Staff J-3 as Assistant Chief, Future Operations Group. From 2003 to 2005,   Colonel Laster commanded The Basic School, and then assumed duties as Chief of Staff, Training and Education Command.

Brigadier General Laster commanded Training Command during May 2006 to November 2007, and served as Commanding General of Training and Education Command during December 2007 to May 2008. He assumed command of Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina and Eastern Recruiting Region on 30 May 2008.

Brigadier General Laster is a graduate of New Mexico Military Institute and Southwest Texas State University and holds a Master of Science degree in National Strategy from the National War College. He was awarded the Leftwich Trophy in 1989 for outstanding leadership.