James Copley was raised in the San Joaquin Valley, situated in central California. After graduating from Golden West High School in Visalia, CA, he joined the U.S. Army in August of 1993. His continued service in the Army includes three deployments to the Middle East, including the third and current deployment which places him in Camp Liberty, located in Baghdad, Iraq. His wife Karen and son Kayden are currently awaiting his return to Ft. Carson, which is his permanent duty station.