Veteran of the Year

For retired U.S. Air Force Col. James Thomas Bridges, a native of Kosciusko, the lessons learned at Holmes Community College became part of a lifetime of service, leadership and dedication to his country and community.

Bridges attended Holmes from 1966-68, earning an Associate of Arts degree. During his time at Holmes, he was selected for Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges for the 1967-68 academic year.

After graduating from Holmes, Bridges continued his education at Delta State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1970. He also completed additional studies at Northern Arizona University and graduated from the Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy at the National Defense University in Washington, D.C.

Bridges’ professional career has spanned education, military service, national security and emergency preparedness.

His first job after college was as a speech teacher at North Natchez High School in 1970. He remembers the process of beginning his career as being straightforward. Bridges submitted an application, interviewed and was hired for the position.

That first position, however, would soon give way to a much different career path. Bridges was drafted into the U.S. military in 1970 and volunteered for the U.S. Air Force. He served as an officer and aviator from 1971-98 and is a Vietnam veteran. During his military career, he earned his commission in the U.S. Air Force and his wings as a U.S. Air Force navigator and weapons systems officer.

Among the assignments he is most proud of is his service as commander of the Trent Lott Combat Readiness Training Center from 1993-98.

Following his military retirement, Bridges continued his service in the public and national security arenas. From 2003-10, he served as director of the Southern Anti-Terrorist Regional Training Academy in Carville, Louisiana.

Throughout his career, Bridges said, one of the most valuable skills he carried with him from his days at Holmes was communication.

“My communication abilities and skills from Holmes are what I used the most throughout my professional career,” Ret. Col. Bridges said.

While communication was a skill he brought with him from college, other abilities had to be developed through experience. One of the most unexpected skills Bridges found himself needing early in his career was strategic thinking.

As his responsibilities grew from the classroom to military leadership and national security, strategic thinking became an increasingly important part of his work.  Bridges continues to develop professionally by maintaining a commitment to lifelong learning.

Along the way, Bridges has also benefited from mentors in both his military and civilian careers. Those relationships, along with years of education and service, helped shape his approach to leadership and professional development.

Bridges’ military and civic service extends beyond his professional responsibilities. He is a graduate of Leadership Gulf Coast and has been involved with the Gulfport Rotary Club, where he was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow. He is a life member of the National Guard Association of the United States and the National Guard Association of Mississippi. He is also a member of the American Legion, the National Rifle Association and the Military Officers Association of America.

“I am most proud of graduating from college, earning a commission in the USAF and earning my wings as a USAF navigator and weapons systems officer,” he said.

Those accomplishments reflect a journey that began with an associate degree at Holmes and ultimately led to a distinguished military career and continued service after retirement.

Looking back, Bridges said his career also taught him an important lesson about opportunity. Things do not always unfold exactly as planned, but hard work can create new possibilities.

Today, Bridges continues to value the education, relationships and experiences that helped prepare him for a lifetime of service. His journey from a Holmes student and young teacher to a U.S. Air Force officer, aviator, commander and national security professional demonstrates the many paths that can begin with a Holmes education.