Page 64 - Senior Link Magazine Fall 2024 - Online Magazine

300 to 800 soldiers. After a brief stretch at home, John Badge, Jungle Operations Expert Badge, and Expert
returned to Baghdad from 2005-2006 to command Infantryman Badge.
a Security Forces Advisory Team, responsible
for training and equipping the Iraqi Ministry of Two weeks after his retirement from the Army,
Interior’s National Forces. He was then selected to be John enrolled in Texas Tech University School of
the Chief of Operations for the 18th Airborne Corps Law. Becoming an attorney was his initial interest
and the Multi-National Corps-Iraq (2008-2009) in in college, but law school had to wait until he
Baghdad. accomplished his military pursuits. John graduated
magna cum laude and earned multiple certifications
Later in 2009, John was named Chair of the in Legal Research, Alternative Dispute Resolution
Department of Military Science at Texas Tech (mediation), as well as the Law School's coveted
University where he was responsible for the certification in the Law & Science Concentration in
leadership development of future officers. His Energy Law.
stateside assignment to Lubbock lasted only two
years, as he was selected to command a larger “I worked for a medium-sized firm for a few years
Security Forces Advisory Team deploying to during law school and after I passed the bar exam,
Afghanistan, that would be responsible for the but ultimately, I knew that I would establish a
military operations in four
provinces south and east of the
capital city of Kabul from 2011-
2012.

John had numerous military
assignments during his 28-year
career, commanding soldiers
at the platoon, company, and
battalion levels. In between
command assignments, he
furthered his education,
earning a master’s degree in
International Relations and
Global Studies from Troy
University and also graduating
from the United States Army
Command and General Staff
College. In addition to his
time with the 82nd Airborne
Division, his service included
major stints with renowned
units such as the 1st Infantry
Division in Würzburg,
Germany, the 11th Armored
Cavalry Regiment, as well
as the 1st Armored Division.
John’s military awards include
the Legion of Merit, three
Bronze Star Medals, nine
Meritorious Service Medals,
and more than 20 other medals
for service and achievements.
He also earned the Combat
Infantryman Badge with star,
Ranger Tab, Senior Parachutist

64 Lubbock Senior Link