James Pickering graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1916.

His major assignments included:

1936 - 1937: Executive Officer, 8th Field Artillery Regiment
1937 - 1940: Assistant Professor of Military Science & Tactics, Purdue University, Indiana
1937 - 1940: Executive Officer, Reserve Officers Training Corps, Purdue University, Indiana
1940 - 1941: Assistant Chief of Staff (G-2), 2nd Armored Division
1941 - 1942: Assistant Chief of Staff (G-2), I Armored Corps
1942: Chief of Staff, I Corps
1942 - 1945: Commanding Officer Artillery, 8th Division [North West Europe]
1945 - 1946: Hospitalized
1946: Retired from active duty