Major John B. Porter is a native of Seymour, Illinois and is a graduate of Augustana College where he received a Bachelor of Arts. He attended Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as a reserve officer in August of 2012. Following completion of OCS, Major Porter attended The Basic School and Infantry Officer Course from October 2012 to June 2013 and was assigned to B Co 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment.
In August of 2013 Major Porter mobilized and was assigned to Lima Company 3d Battalion 8th Marine Regiment as a rifle platoon commander. Major Porter deployed with 3d Battalion, 8th Marines to NAS Sigonella as a Theater Security Cooperation Team Leader in support of SPMAGTF-CR-AF from January 2014 to July 2014 conducting security cooperation missions across multiple countries in Africa. While deployed, Major Porter submitted for and was selected on the return to active duty (RAD) board and transitioned to the active component upon redeployment. Major Porter deployed a second time with Lima Company, 3d Battalion, 8th Marines as part of SPMAGTF-CR-AF as a rifle platoon commander in Moron, Spain from July 2015 to January 2016. Major Porter completed his tour with 3d Battalion, 8th Marines as the Assistant Operations Officer until June 2016.
In June 2016, Major Porter reported to Bravo Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team Company, Marine Corps Security Force Regiment, Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, Virginia. From June 2016 to September 2018 Major Porter was a FAST Platoon Commander and deployed twice during that period to FAST Company Pacific in Yokosuka, Japan and FAST Company Europe in Rota, Spain. During each deployment Major Porter and his platoons conducted unilateral and bilateral training across multiple combatant commands as well as postured as contingency forces for respective Fleet Commanders. From September 2018 to June 2019 Major Porter completed his tour as the Bravo Company Executive Officer.
In June 2019 Major Porter reported to Quantico, Virginia where he attended and graduated from Expeditionary Warfare School in May of 2020. Upon graduation, Major Porter augmented Officer Candidate School as a Platoon Commander in Delta Company until August 2020.
In August 2020, Major Porter was assigned to 2d Battalion 7th Marine Regiment and served as the H&S Company Commander from August 2020 to June 2021. In June 2021 Major Porter took command of Fox Company and deployed as part of the Unit Deployment Program-West from October 2021 to April 2022. While deployed, Fox Company was postured as the ground combat element of the Alert Contingency MAGTF and participated in the joint operation Jungle Warfare Exercise 22 in Okinawa, Japan. Major Porter departed 2d Battalion 7th Marines in June 2022.
Major Porter then reported to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and attended US Army Command and General Staff College from June 2022 to June 2023. He graduated with a Masters of Operational Studies degree.
In June of 2023, Major Porter was assigned to India Company, 3d Battalion, 23d Marine Regiment where he is currently serving as the Inspector Instructor.
Major Porter's personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2nd Award) and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2nd Award).