Master Gunnery Sergeant James R. Laundra was born on September 19, 1985 in Pontiac, Michigan.  He enlisted in February 2004 and underwent recruit training at 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Alpha Company, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina.
In October 2004, Private First Class Laundra completed his Military Occupation Specialty of 5711, Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical (NBC) Defense Specialist at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.  Upon completion he received orders to Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Force Service Support Group, Camp Pendleton, California.  During his time there he served in a variety of billets from NBC Chief to Platoon Sergeant.
In February 2006, Corporal Laundra deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with Combat Logistics Regiment-17, 1st Force Service Support Group, as a Watch Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO)/NBC Defense Specialist. 
In January of 2008, Sergeant Laundra deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with Combat Logistics Regiment-17, 1st Marine Logistics Group as the NBC Chief and Watch NCO.
In December of 2008, Sergeant Laundra graduated from Marine Corps Recruiter School and received orders to 4th Marine Corps District, Recruiting Station (RS) Detroit, Recruiting Sub-Station (RSS) Livonia, Permanent Contact Station (PCS) Westland, Michigan as a Canvassing Recruiter where he earned Rookie Recruiter of the Year and was meritoriously promoted to Staff Sergeant.  In September of 2010, Staff Sergeant Laundra received orders to RSS Ann Arbor as the Staff Non-Commissioned Officer-in-Charge (SNCOIC) where he served 12 months.  In October of 2013, he was selected to serve as the SNCOIC of RSS Livonia, Michigan where he was the RS Detroit SNCOIC of the Year Fiscal Year (FY) 13 and was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant.
In June of 2013, Gunnery Sergeant Laundra served as the Primary Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) Liaison at the Troy, Michigan MEPS where he was the 4th Marine Corps District MEPS Liaison of the Year Fiscal Year 15.
In October of 2015, Gunnery Sergeant Laundra was assigned as the Assistant Recruiter Instructor for RS Detroit. In April of 2016, Gunnery Sergeant Laundra was assigned as the Operations Chief for RS Detroit where he earned 4th Marine Corps District Operations Chief of the Year FY17 and promoted to the rank of Master Sergeant. 
In June of 2018, Master Sergeant Laundra received orders to RS Lansing, 4th Marine Corps District, as the Assistant Recruiter Instructor. In December 2019, MSgt Laundra was assigned as RS Lansing's Recruiting Instructor where he was selected for the rank of Master Gunnery Sergeant.
In May of 2022, Master Gunnery Sergeant Laundra received orders to RS Albany, 1st Marine Corps District where he currently serves as the Recruiting Instructor.
Master Gunnery Sergeant Laundra's personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Gold Star in lieu of 2nd award, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Gold Star in lieu of 2nd award, and the Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.