CSM James A. LaFratta is a native of Carver, Massachusetts. He enlisted the U.S. Army in February 1993 and completed Basic Combat Training at Ft. Knox, KY and AIT at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD earning the MOS 63W, Wheeled Vehicle Repairer. His military education includes completion of all levels of the NCOES, NLC 22-3, SEJPME I and II, BDE/BN Pre-Command Courses, BDE/BN CSM Professional Development Courses, U.S. Army Sergeant's Major Course (Class 66), Master Resiliency Trainer Course, Master Jumpmaster Course, First Sergeant's Course, Pathfinder Course, Combatives Level I, Jumpmaster Course, CBRNE Defense Course, Master Driver Trainer Course, Automated Air Load Planner School 3.0, Air Movement Officer Course, Airborne School, and the Combat Lifesaver's Course. CSM LaFratta is a graduate (Cum Laude) of American Public University, WV with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Military History and a graduate of Norwich University, VT with a Masters of Military History Degree.

His previous assignments include Wheeled Vehicle Repairer, 2/69 AR MST, B Co, 324th FSB, Ft. Benning, GA; Technical Inspector, U.S. Army SETAF, FSC, SIB (A), Vicenza, IT; SR Wheeled Vehicle Repairer, B Co, 407th FSB, 82nd ABN DIV, Ft. Bragg, NC; QA/QC Section NCOIC, A Co, 528th SOSB (A), Ft. Bragg, NC, Maintenance Control SGT, B Co, 528th SOSB (A), Ft. Bragg, NC; PLT SGT and OPS SGT, Equipment Readiness Division, 19th Support Center, 3rd COSCOM, Wiesbaden, GE; Maintenance Manager, Equipment Readiness Division, 19th Support Center, 3rd COSCOM, LSA Anaconda, Balad, IQ; Chief of Operations, Ft. Bragg and XVIII ABN Corps NCOA, Ft. Bragg, NC; BN Motor SGT, GSB, 7th SFG (A), Ft. Bragg, NC; BN Motor SGT, Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force- Afghanistan, Bagram Airbase, AF; First Sergeant, GSSC, GSB, 7th SFG (A), Ft. Bragg, NC and Eglin AFB, FL; CJ4 SR Maintenance Supervisor, SOJTF-A, Camp Integrity, Kabul, AF; SR Maintenance Supervisor, 7th SFG (A), SF Advanced Skills Company, GSB, 7th SFG (A), Eglin AFB, FL; BN CSM, HHC, 173rd (A) BSB, Vicenza, IT; BDE CSM, 2nd ID, DSB, Camp Humphreys, ROK; CSM, 13th Armored Corps Sustainment Command, Ft. Cavazos, TX, and the incoming CSM for the U.S. Army Ordnance School, Ft. Gregg-Adams, VA.

His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit (1 OLC), Bronze Star Medal (1 OLC), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2 OLC), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (5 OLC), Army Good Conduct Medal (10th AWD), National Defense Service Medal (2nd AWD), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (2 CS), Iraq Campaign Medal (3 CS), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal (1 CS), Korean Defense Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 5), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (Numeral 5), NATO Medal (1 CS), Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation (1 OLC), Army Superior Unit Award (1 OLC), the Master, Senior, and Basic Parachutist Badges, Pathfinder Badge, Driver's Badge (Wheel Device), Mechanic's Badge, British, Irish, Canadian, and Mexican Parachutist Badges, and the Honorable Ordnance Order of Samuel Sharpe.