Major General (Ret) James E. Kraft, Jr. serves as Senior Vice President, providing leadership and expertise on Special Operations and Mission Support for Arcanum. In this role, he oversees strategic planning and execution of specialized operations, ensuring alignment with organizational goals. In addition, he is responsible for managing and optimizing support functions such as logistics, technology, and personnel to enhance mission effectiveness. General Kraft manages key stakeholder engagements with various US Military Commands, including but not limited to SOCOM, CENTCOM, EUCOM, JSOC, SOCEUR and NATOR Special Forces.
He retired from the Army in 2022 as Commanding General of 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne). Prior to that he served as Deputy Commanding General of XVIIIth Airborne Corps.
MG Kraft has navigated the world’s most challenging terrains and has held command positions in some of the most austere environments.
His distinguished career is characterized by over three decades of elite military experience, marked by a number of high-risk deployments around the globe.
His journey began with his graduation from the Special Forces Qualification Course in 1991, setting the stage for a series of pivotal roles in Special Forces and Special Operations Forces units during both peacetime and wartime.
Throughout his military career, MG Kraft undertook multiple deployments to conflict zones such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, as well as missions across Central and South America. He assumed leadership roles as a Special Operations Task Force and Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force commander, providing exceptional guidance in the high-stakes theaters of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM-Afghanistan and Operation INHERENT RESOLVE – Iraq and Syria.
His contributions extend beyond the battlefield; he fulfilled key staff and operational assignments, including Director of Operations for USASOC, Chief of Staff for SFCMD (Airborne), Executive Officer to the commander of USSOCOM, Director of Operations for United States Forces Command/Combined Forces Command/United Nations Command – Korea, and Assistant Commanding General of Joint Special Operations Command.
As Commanding General of 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne), MG Kraft led a 22,000-person command, overseeing the readiness of the Army’s Green Berets and active-duty Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Soldiers. His tenure included leadership in the Joint and Combined counter Da’esh efforts in Syria, coordinating Coalition Special Operations Forces from 14 different countries, directing all U.S. Special Operations missions, and deploying 2,500 Soldiers and Special Operators to over 50 countries in support of U.S. interests abroad.
MG Kraft’s illustrious career has been honored with a multitude of awards and decorations, including the Army Distinguished Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters (OLC), the Defense Superior Service Medal (3 OLC) with a Combat Device, the Legion of Merit (2 OLC), and the Bronze Star Medal. His exceptional achievements have earned him the Special Forces and Ranger tabs, as well as numerous badges, including Master Parachutist, Pathfinder, Air Assault, Expert Infantryman, and Combat Infantry.
MG Kraft holds a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College and a Master of Science degree in Joint Campaign Planning and Strategy from the Joint Advanced Warfighting School – National Defense University.
MG Kraft’s appointment to Arcanum underscores the company’s preeminent standing in the field of strategic intelligence, reaffirming its commitment to delivering exceptional services to its valued clients.
He is based in the Company’s North Carolina and Washington, DC offices.