James enlisted in the Navy Reserve in 1966. He served aboard the USS MacDonough during 1967-1968 as a non-designated seaman on the deck force. He later became a communications yeomen (CYN) in the ships Communication Division where he served for the remainder of his sea duty. Returning to selective service status in 1969, Jim continued as a communications yeoman until that rating was disestablished and he then became a Yeoman advancing YN2. He was later approved to convert to the Legalman rating advancing up to Legalman Chief (YNC).
As a drilling legalman reservist, Chief Frierson performed annual training/mutual support periods at various legal commands including Naval Legal Offices in Orlando, Charleston, Norfolk and Kings Bay as well as the NCIS Headquarters in Washington,DC and the Staff Judge Advocate"s Office in Bethesada, MD. Chief Frierson closed out his career at the Naval Reserve Center in Columbia with a total of 35 years of active and reserve service in 2001. He is a life-member or NERA (Naval Enlisted Reserve Association) and is currently the president of the Mid-Carolina Chapter of NERA. He was recently elected to serve as the National Secretary of NERA.
Jim retired in 2018 from the South Carolina Department of Transportation after 30 years of service. He and his wife of 40 years, Patti have two grown children Andrew and Sarah. They have lived in North Springs since 2006. He now has time to pursue his hobbies of reading and model trains.
