Sgt. James Bryant Serves as Machine Gun Section Leader During RIMPAC 2026
(UCBJ) – Sgt. James Bryant, an Upper Cumberland native, is training allied forces at the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise, the world’s largest maritime exercise, in the Hawaiian Islands. Born in Rock Island and a 2019 graduate of Warren County High School, Bryant left the Upper Cumberland to join the Marines seven years ago.
He currently serves with the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, an infantry battalion, according to a release from the Navy Office of Community Outreach.
“Military service has been a long-standing tradition in my family, and I always wanted to challenge myself in a meaningful way,” Bryant said. “My original plan was to play college baseball, but when that opportunity did not work out, I decided to join the Marine Corps to gain new experiences, travel the world, and continue growing both personally and professionally.”
At home, Bryant learned both the lessons of youth and the values that have led to success in the Marine Corps.
“Playing baseball throughout high school taught me the value of competition, perseverance and teamwork,” Bryant said. “My coaches always emphasized that even when you think you have nothing left to give, there is always more you can find within yourself. I also watched many people become comfortable with routine and never take the opportunity to explore the world. I knew I wanted to choose a different path and challenge myself beyond my hometown.”
Bryant serves as a machine gun section leader.
According to the release, 31 nations, approximately 40 surface ships, five submarines, 14 national land forces, more than 140 aircraft and more than 25,000 personnel will participate in RIMPAC 2026. The exercise provides a training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain cooperative relationships critical to safety at sea and security on the world’s oceans. RIMPAC 2026 marks the 30th exercise in a series that began in 1971.
The theme of RIMPAC 2026 is “Partners: Integrated and Prepared,” and participating nations and forces exercise a wide range of capabilities that demonstrate the flexibility of maritime forces. These capabilities range from disaster relief and maritime security operations to sea control and complex warfighting.
The training program includes gunnery, missile, anti-submarine and air defense exercises, amphibious operations, counter-piracy, mine clearance operations, explosive ordnance disposal and diving and salvage operations.
“It is fitting that the world’s premier maritime exercise occurs as the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary,” according to the release. “For 250 years, the United States has built relationships with international partners based on trust, cooperation and shared values. RIMPAC is where that trust is put into practice, strengthening the people-to-people relationships that are the bedrock of all the nations’ collective security.”
Bryant plays an important role in the exercise.
“RIMPAC has been an outstanding experience,” Bryant said. “Watching partner forces train together and employ different tactics has given me a greater appreciation for the importance of interoperability and the strong relationships we build with our allied nations. As a machine gun section leader, I train partner forces on the employment of crew-served weapons and the effective use of automatic weapons systems. Working alongside our allies helps strengthen our combined capabilities and ensures we are prepared to operate together in future missions.”
Bryant says the job has strengthened his character even more.
“Serving in the Marine Corps has strengthened my character and reinforced the values, discipline and morals that guide my life,” Bryant said. “Every challenge has helped me become a better leader, a better Marine and a better person.”
He is grateful for those who helped make his career possible.
“I would like to thank my fellow Marines for their brotherhood, teamwork and unwavering support,” Bryant added. “The friendships and trust we have built together have been some of the most rewarding parts of my Marine Corps career.”
For more information about RIMPAC, visit https://www.cpf.navy.mil/RIMPAC/
Photo courtesy of Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Patricia Elkins.
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