Commander James Wesley Moreland III is a native of Cartersville, Georgia, and is the son of Mr. and Mrs. James W. Moreland II. He is a 1969 graduate of Auburn University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a 1977 graduate of the University of New Mexico with a Master of Arts degree in Political Science.

His prior sea tours include Engineering Officer / Mine Countermeasures Officer, USS AGGRESSIVE (MSO-422); Engineering Officer, USS RODGERS (DD-876); First Lieutenant, USS FREDERICK (LST-1184); Damage Control Assistant, USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67); Executive Officer, USS COMPTE DE GRASSE (DD-974); Executive Officer, USS TICONDEROGA (CG-47); and Surface Operations and Plans, CRUISER DESTROYER GROUP TWO.

Ashore, Commander Moreland has served as Freshman Instructor, NROTC Unit, University of New Mexico; Assistant Detailer and Head, Surface Lieutenant Commander Assignment Branch, Naval Military Personnel Command (NMPC-411); and Assistant AEGIS Program Manager, Office of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Surface Warfare, Surface Combat Systems Division (OP-355).

Commander Moreland has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal (with gold star in lieu of second award), and the Navy Achievement Medal (with gold star in lieu of second award). He is married to the former Ann L. Flanary of Kingsport, Tennessee, and with their two sons, Wes and Brent, they make their home in Chesapeake, Virginia.