A native of Florida, CSM James K. Sims attended Basic Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Lee, Virginia as an Automated Parts Specialist. In 1992, his Military Occupational Specialty combined with three other Supply MOSs to become 92Y (Unit Supply Specialist). His previous positions and assignments include: Squad Leader, Section Sergeant, Battalion S-4 NCOIC, Platoon Sergeant, two consecutive tours as First Sergeant, First Sergeant Charlie Company, Support Battalion, 1^st Special Warfare Training Company (Airborne) Fort Bragg; First Sergeant Alpha Company, 702^nd  Main Support Battalion, 2^nd Infantry Division; Command Sergeant Major, 528^th Special Operations Support Battalion (Airborne) and Command Sergeant Major for the Group Support Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Fort Bragg; Command Sergeant Major for the 530^th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 49^th Quartermaster Group Command Sergeant Major; 10^th Regimental Command Sergeant Major, United States Army Quartermaster School. Additionally, CSM Sims also served in the 3^rd United States Infantry, “The Old Guard”, and the 82^nd Airborne Division. Deployments includes; Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait and other deployments.

CSM Sims’ military education consists of the Primary Leadership Development Course, Fort Benning GA; Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Course, Fort Lee; Advanced Non-Commissioned, Fort Lee; Master Fitness School, Logistics Management Course, Manpower Course, Force Modification Management Course, Force Modification Management Supervisor Course, Battalion Motor Officer Course, Equal Opportunity Course, Small Tactics Course, Survival Course, Air-Assault School, Airborne School, Pathfinder School, Jumpmaster School, Battle Staff Course, First Sergeant Course, the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy Class #54 and the Command Sergeants Major Course. 

His awards consist of the Legion of Merit Medal, Bronze Star Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with five oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal with five oak leaf clusters, Army Good Conduct Medal (7th Award), the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (4th Award), the Overseas Service Ribbon, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Army Superior Unit Award with one oak leaf cluster, German Parachutist Badge, French Master Parachutist Badge, Venezuela Parachutist Badge, Polish Master Parachutist Badge, Air-Assault Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, Master Parachutist Badge and the Combat Action Badge. CSM Sims is a Demonstrated Master Logistician and also a recipient of both the Distinguished Order of Saint Martin for Quartermasters and the Ordnance Order of Samuel Sharpe.