James T. Hirai
Brigadier General (Ret), U.S. Army

DEPUTY DIRECTOR 

The Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS) is a Department of Defense executive education, conference, and research center established in Honolulu on September 4, 1995. APCSS supports the U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM) and the Department of Defense with in-residence and outreach activities designed to help security practitioners and influencers from throughout the Asia-Pacific region expand their knowledge, improve their skills and expand their professional networks of colleagues committed to enhancing effective security cooperation.

Jim Hirai joined APCSS in April 2006 after retiring from active duty in the U.S. Army. As the special assistant to the Commander, Combined Forces Command – Afghanistan, he worked in the Office of Security Cooperation - Afghanistan leading the external support to the Afghan Ministry of Defense and National Army.

His experience in the Asia-Pacific region includes serving as commander of U.S. Army Alaska; chief of staff U. S. Army Pacific; commander of the United States Army Garrison, Hawaii; commander of the 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry, 25th Infantry Division (Light); and two tours on the Commander U.S. Pacific Command staff. He also served as Deputy Commandant, United States Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and six years with Army Rangers. His career included tours with Army units in Washington, Texas, Kentucky, and Germany as an infantryman in Air Assault, Airborne Ranger, Mechanized and Light units.

He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from the University of Hawaii and a Master’s Degree in Education from Troy State University. He is a graduate of the Infantry Officers Basic and Advanced Courses, Armed Forces Staff College and the U.S. Army War College.

His military awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit fifth award, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Expert Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge and the Ranger Tab.

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Last updated: 09/25/2008