JAMES C. WHITCHER
James graduated from Hot Springs High School in 2006 – Go Bison! He enlisted in the Navy and was on active duty with them for five (5) years. During this time, he attended and graduated from Naval Rescue Swimmer school, Basic aircrewman school, Aviation warfare systems operator school, Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape and Recruit Training. James would deploy several times - spending a total 22 months at sea. James was a key player in Helicopter Antisubron 14's humanitarian actions during Operation Tomadachi when a 9.0 earthquake shook the island of Japan. While deployed aboard the USS George Washington in the South Pacific, James became a Son of King Neptune, earning the title “Shellback.”
After being discharged from the Navy in 2011, James sought to quench his thirst for knowledge by enrolling in college at the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND.
James majored in Athletic Training. During these years James provided sideline coverage and sports medicine care to collegiate and high school athletes. During weekends, James provided emergency services as an EMT for an ambulance service in Killdeer, ND. James graduated Summa Cum Laude with a cumulative GPA of 3.93 - available upon request. During the summers of undergraduate, James had the following educational experiences: (1) interned for Senator John Thune in his D.C. office; (2) worked as a wildland fire suppressor for Wind Cave NPS; (3) attended Marine Officer Candidate school in Quantico VA; and (4) waited tables at a restaurant named Cheddars.
Following graduation from college and Officer Candidate School, James commissioned as a 2nd LT in the Marine Corps. He would spend one year on active duty for training before being released to the reserve component of the Marines. In 2021, James went back on active duty to attend Marine Artillery Officer Basic Course. James is currently a Captain in the reserves with 6th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company (ANGLICO) and drills in Fort Lewis Washington. He is a Firepower Control Team Leader for ANGLICO. He is a graduate of Marine Expeditionary Warfare School.
James attended Physical Therapy school at the University of South Dakota – Go Yotes! James worked as a graduate assistant for USD in the student veteran’s resource center – assisting the veteran make the transition from active duty/combat setting to the classroom. He volunteered for the University providing Pro Bono PT services as well as volunteering for Special Olympics. James served on the Diversity Health Affairs committee during this time. James continued to seek personal growth while pursuing his DPT degree and became certified as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist. He completed clinical affiliations at the following: Regional West Medical Center (Scottsbluff, NE); Philip Health Services (Philip, SD); Black Hills Orthopedic and Spine Center (Rapid City, SD); Rapid City Regional Hospital (Rapid City, SD); and the VA Hospital/ Traumatic Brain Injury Unit (Minneapolis, MN).
James is a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), a licensed Athletic Trainer (ATC) and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). James continues to pursue advanced certifications in Orthopedics and sports medicine. James is a Board Certified Orthopedic Physical Therapist by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties.
James has the published the following professional works:
Ness BM, Tao H, Javers D, Thielson A, Tvedt H, Whitcher J. “Development of an Upper Extremity Swing Count and Performance Measures in NCAA Division I Volleyball Players over a Competitive Season.” International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, vol. 14, no. 4, July 2019, pp. 582–591, 10.26603/ijspt20190582
Whitcher, James. “Articulating Doctrine to Junior Marines.” Marine Corps Gazette, Jan. 2021, pp. 89–91.
Whitcher, James. “Modernizing Military Education: Increasing Cerebral Lethality in the Uncertain Battlespaces of Tomorrow.” Marine Corps Gazette, June 2021.
His awards include: 2019 University of South Dakota School of Health Sciences Student Leader of the Year, 2018 University of South Dakota Student Veteran of the Year, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medal (x2), Humanitarian Service Medal, Sea Service ribbon, Junior Sailor of the Quarter, and the Navy Battle “E” ribbon.
James seeks physical challenges in his off time as well. He has completed ~15 full length Marathons, Three (3) Ironman triathlons, a 50 mile ultramarathon and a 74 mile kayak race. He is a graduate of the Bothwell Bullriding School of Black Hawk South Dakota. He aspires to climb Mount Everest if he could ever “hit a lick” and acquire the requisite capital. James attempted the Black Hills 100, but DNF.
James is the proud father to his son, Odin James and the proud husband to Kristen.
Favorite Quote: “Run while you have the light of life lest the darkness of death overcome you." St. Benedict
