Colonel James VanVooren enlisted in the Texas Army National Guard in 1989 and after serving a period as an enlisted person, joined the Texas OCS program.  He transferred to the NJ Military Academy and received his commission as part of class 35.  In 1992 He transferred to DET 2/HHB 3/112^th FA (Field Artillery) as a Forward Observer

The majority of Colonel VanVooren’s career has been spent in the New Jersey National Guard’s 50^th Main support Battalion, located in Trenton, New Jersey.  During his career, COL VanVooren has served as Executive Officer of E Company during the Mobilization for deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, as Commander of HHC 50^th MSB; and as the Environmental Science Officer of E Company, 50^th MSB.  In 2010 he transferred to his current assignment in the CFMO (Construction and Facilities Maintenance Office) as the Environmental Branch Chief.   

COL VanVooren’s awards include the Bronze Star, Army Achievement Medal, The Global War on Terrorism Medal; Service and Expedition, Humanitarian Service Medal with 1 Star, National Defense Service Ribbon with 1 Star, Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Overseas Training Ribbon.

Colonel VanVooren is a member of Woolwich VFW Post 10886 and currently serves as the Post’s Judge Advocate. Colonel VanVooren and his family reside in Woolwich Township.