Colonel John L. Mayer enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves in June 1981, attended Marine Corps Recruit Training in San Diego and served as a Scout-Sniper with 3d Battalion, 24th Marines until commissioning in 1983. As an officer, he has served in a variety of command, instructor, staff, and student assignments.

Upon completion of The Basic School and Infantry Officers’ Course in December 1984, Colonel Mayer transferred to I Company, 3d Battalion, 3d Marines. He held billets as a rifle platoon commander, rifle company executive officer, and battalion assistant operations officer.

In December 1987, Col. Mayer transferred to The Basic School and served as a tactics instructor and staff platoon commander. Upon completion of this assignment, he reported to The School of Infantry at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and served as commanding officer, F Company; operations officer, Marine Combat Training Battalion; and chief instructor.

Col. Mayer graduated from the Amphibious Warfare School in May 1993 and reported to 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein). During his four-year tour with the battalion, he served as commanding officer, Weapons Company; operations officer; and executive officer; and completed two Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) deployments.

In August 1997, Col. Mayer attended Marine Corps Command and Staff College and the School of Advanced Warfighting.

In 1999, Col. Mayer transferred to the Marine Corps War Fighting Laboratory, where he served as operations officer and second-in-command of the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force (Experimental) (SPMAGTF(X)).

In August 2001, Col. Mayer transferred to the 1st Marine Division (Rein) and served as G-3 Plans Officer. He assumed command of 1st Battalion, 4th Marines (1/4) on 14 August 2002 and led the battalion through two combat tours to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom I and II. During his first tour in Iraq, he served as the military governor of Babylon Province. During OIF II, 1/4 served as the Ground Combat Element for 11th MEU (SOC) and participated in the Battle of Najaf in August 2004. He relinquished command of the battalion in January 2005 and attended Top-Level School at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.

Upon completion of school, Col. Mayer commanded 31st MEU (31 MEU), home stationed in Okinawa, Japan from June 2006 to June 2008.

From June 2008 to June 2010, Col. Mayer was the deputy commander, Joint Task Force North, Fort Bliss, Texas. This command provides military support to law enforcement agencies in order to anticipate, detect, deter, prevent, and defeat transnational threats to the homeland.

His personal awards include the Combat Action Ribbon, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with combat "V" with gold star in lieu of second award, bronze star without devices, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold stars in lieu of third award, the Army Commendation Medal with gold star in lieu of second award, and the Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal. He is a Distinguished Graduate of The Basic School, Amphibious Warfare School, Command and Staff College, and the Naval War College, and earned two Masters Degrees while attending formal professional military education.

Sergeant Major Joseph E. VanFonda enlisted in the Marine Corps in January of 1987 under the delayed entry program. He graduated from Recruit Training at Parris Island, South Carolina in May1987. In June 1987, SgtMaj VanFonda reported for Duty with School's Company, Marine Corps Detachment Fort Lee Virginia, as a Bulk Fuel Specialist.

In October 1987 he was transferred to 2nd Force Service Support Group (FSSG), 8th Engineers Support Battalion, Fleet Marine Forces Atlantic, Camp Lejeune N.C. In April of 1988 SgtMaj VanFonda was promoted to the rank of Corporal where he then reported to 3rd Force Service Support Group (REIN), Fleet Marine Forces Pacific, Okinawa Japan. While serving with 3rd FSSG, SgtMaj VanFonda made a Lateral move to the Communication Field and was temporarily assigned to duty with 7th Communication Battalion 3rd (FSSG), Okinawa Japan.

In October 1989 he was transferred to 8th Communication Battalion, Bravo Co. Surveillance Recon Intelligence (SRI), Camp Lejeune N.C. In November 1990, SgtMaj VanFonda served in the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm and later was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 1991. In 1992 SgtMaj VanFonda was selected to attend the Communication Systems Chief School at 29 Palms Ca. Upon completion of the school he was assigned as the Communications Chief for 8th Communication Battalion, Bravo Company.

In 1994 SgtMaj VanFonda was selected to attend Drill Instructor (DI) School at Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) Parris Island South Carolina. He graduated from DI School in December 1994 where he served as a Drill Instructor and Senior Drill Instructor until January 1996 when he was transferred to 8th Communication Battalion, Bravo Co. Surveillance Recon Intelligence (SRI), Camp Lejeune N.C. for duty as the Company GySgt for Bravo Co.

In March 1997 SgtMaj VanFonda was promoted to the rank of SSgt and received orders for duty at 2nd Battalion 8th Marine Regiment as their Communications Systems Chief. In February 1999 SgtMaj VanFonda was assigned to the Inspector-Instructor Staff, 6th Communication Battalion, HQ Battalion, MCRC Brooklyn, NY. He was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant in March 2000 and was assigned as 6th Communications Battalion Communications Chief and collateral duty as 1stSgt of H&S Company.

In June 2001 he was transferred to Marine Corps Logistics Base MCLB, Barstow CA. for duty as the Base Communications Chief and later was assigned collateral duty as the Base Company GySgt. In October 2002, SgtMaj VanFonda was assigned a change of duty as the Battalion First Sergeant for Headquarters Battalion Marine Corps Logistics Base, Barstow California.

In Feb 2003 SgtMaj VanFonda was promoted to the rank of 1stSgt where he continued to serve as the Battalion First Sergeant for Headquarters Battalion MCLB, Barstow California. In June 2003 SgtMaj VanFonda received orders to 2ND MARDIV for duty. SgtMaj VanFonda was assigned as the Company 1stSgt for Fox CO. 2/2 on September 5th 2003.

In March 2005, SgtMaj VanFonda was re-assigned to 1st BN 8th Marines Weapons Company as the Company 1stSgt where his unit was assigned to the 24th MEU. In January 2007, SgtMaj VanFonda received orders to 8th Communication Battalion for duty. SgtMaj VanFonda was assigned as the Company 1StSgt for Service & Maint. Company.

In November 2007, SgtMaj VanFonda was promoted to his present rank and received orders for I&I 3rd Battalion 14th Marines, 4th Marine Division Philadelphia PA. as the Inspector Instructor SgtMaj. In Jan 2010 SgtMaj VanFonda received orders to HMH-464, MAG 29 New River, NC as the Squadron SgtMaj. In June 2010 SgtMaj VanFonda was reassigned to MALS 29, MAG 29 New River, NC as the Squadron SgtMaj.

In December 2011, SgtMaj VanFonda was selected as the new Wounded Warrior Regimental Sergeant Major for HQ Marine Corps.

SgtMaj VanFonda's awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with three gold stars (4th award), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with four gold stars (5th award), Combat Action Ribbon, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (8th award), Humanitarian Service Medal with one star (2nd award), National Defense Service Medal with one star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (GWOTEM), Global War on Terrorism (GWOTM), (Kuwait) Liberation Medal, (Saudi Arabia) Liberation Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal.