James Mackland was born in Aberdeen, Scotland. He is married to Angela, who he met and fell in love with, while at school. He has served and worked with several Armies: in the UK, Australia, the USA and Canada, gaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel before he retired. He now lives with his family in Far North Queensland, within the tail end of the oldest rain forest in the world. James holds Master's degrees in Management, from the University of Greenwich, in Business, from the University of New South Wales and in Military and Defence Studies from the Australian National University. He is a graduate of both the British and Australian Command and Staff Colleges. His hobbies include renovations, keeping marine saltwater fish, coral and seahorses. He loves his three dogs: Jess, Nutmeg and Freya. He also holds a CASA commercial drone pilots' licence. He is an active member of the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service, volunteering with both the Rural Fire Service and the State Emergency Service.