Commending Colonel James B. Cogbill, USA, Ret.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jed Arnold and 15 co-sponsors

Virginia commends Col. James B. Cogbill, Ret., for 27 years in Army intelligence; a ceremonial joint resolution recognizing his service and presenting a copy to him.

Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ305ER)

Purpose and Intent

SJ305ER is a ceremonial (concurrent) resolution by the Virginia General Assembly recognizing and commending Colonel James B. Cogbill, USA, Ret., on the occasion of his retirement from the United States Army.

The resolution expresses the General Assembly’s admiration for Cogbill’s 27-year career in military intelligence, his leadership, and his public service.

Key Provisions

The resolution states, in its “RESOLVED” clauses, that the General Assembly commends Colonel Cogbill for his service to the nation and for his honorable military career.

It directs the Clerk of the Senate to prepare a copy of the resolution for presentation to Colonel Cogbill as an expression of esteem.

As a concurrent resolution, it is presented for recognition by both chambers of the Virginia General Assembly (Senate and House of Delegates).

Biographical Highlights (as summarized in SJ305ER)

Native of Richmond, known as James “Jamie” Cogbill.

ROTC Distinguished Military Graduate at Georgetown University; commissioned as an Army officer in 1997.

Early service in Army Intelligence, with deployments to Macedonia (1998) and Kosovo (1999), among others.

Service included deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq, with roles spanning the 319th Military Intelligence Battalion and positions at the Pentagon (military assistant to the executive secretary of the DoD; chief of biometrics for Army G-2).

Attended the Command and General Staff College; assignments in Germany, Afghanistan, and Iraq; roles such as deputy chief of CJ2 Operations for ISAF Joint Command in Afghanistan.

Key leadership roles: G-2, Brigade Modernization Command (Fort Bliss); commander of the 205th Military Intelligence Battalion (Fort Shafter, Hawaii); deputy G-2 of XVIII Airborne Corps (Fort Liberty); director of intelligence operations for the Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan (2019-2020).

Post-Active-Duty: Returned to the Commonwealth (Virginia) in 2020 to lead Army ROTC programs at Virginia Tech and Radford University; later joined Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets as deputy director for the Rice Center for Leader Development and director for the Defense Civilian Training Corps at the Virginia Tech National Security Institute.

Awards include: Legion of Merit; Bronze Star Medal; Defense Meritorious Service Medal (two oak leaf clusters); Meritorious Service Medal (five oak leaf clusters); Joint Service Commendation Medal.

Procedural and Timeline Details

Introduced: January 24, 2025.

Senate action: Engrossed January 30, 2025; Agreed to by the Senate by voice vote on January 30, 2025.

House action: Agreed to by the House of Delegates by voice vote on February 3, 2025.

Enrolled status: Enrolled as SJ305ER; bill text reflecting both chambers’ approval published February 4, 2025.

Official status: Passed both the Senate and the House; enrolled as a joint resolution commemorating Cogbill’s service.

Impact and Implications

This is a ceremonial acknowledgment with no new or modified laws, programs, or fiscal provisions.

The resolution serves as formal recognition of Cogbill’s military career and post-retirement contributions to military education and scholarship within Virginia.

A copy of the resolution is to be presented to Colonel Cogbill.

Bill