Colonel John Beichner attended North Carolina State University and graduated in December of 1999. He was commissioned in June of 2000 and completed The Basic School in the spring of 2001.
Colonel Beichner reported to NAS Pensacola in June of 2001. He was then assigned to Primary Flight Training with VT-28 at NAS Corpus Christi and subsequently Advanced Jet Training with VT-21 at NAS Kingsville, TX. He was designated a Naval Aviator in June of 2003 and attended F/A-18 FRS training with VFA-125 located at NAS Lemoore, California.
In the summer of 2004, he reported to Marine Aircraft Group 31 (MAG-31) in Beaufort, SC, where he joined the Checkerboards of VMFA-312 flying the F/A-18 A+. In 2005 he deployed in support of the Unit Deployment Program (UDP) to Iwakuni, Japan.
In June of 2007, after being designated a Forward Air Controller, Colonel Beichner reported to Second Reconnaissance Battalion in Camp Lejeune, NC and was assigned as the Battalion Air Officer. The battalion deployed in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM 06-08.2 and conducted combat operations in the Al-Anbar Province from October 2007 to April 2008.
Colonel Beichner returned to MAG-31 in May of 2008 and was assigned to VMFA-312 flying the F/A-18C and attended Weapons and Tactics Instructor course 1-08 at Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1), MCAS Yuma, AZ. He deployed with Carrier Air Wing Three (CVW-3) aboard the USS Harry Truman in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM from June 2010 to December of 2010.
In February of 2011 Colonel Beichner was assigned to the Marine Aviation Training System Site (MATSS) Beaufort as the MAG-31 Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI).
Colonel Beichner transitioned from active duty in November of 2011 and started his career in the Select Marine Corps Reserves (SMCR). His first assignment was as a pilot for VMFA-112 flying the F/A-18A++. While he was with the squadron he was assigned as the Pilot Training Officer (PTO) and supported Mojave Viper 2012.
In the spring of 2013, he joined 1st Battalion 25th Marines in Fort Devens, MA as the battalion’s Air Officer. He participated in Integrated Training Exercise 4-14, African Lion 2015, and Nordic Frost 2016.
Colonel Beichner was assigned to the 25th Marine Regiment in Fort Devens, MA as the Regiment’s Air Officer in the spring of 2016. In this billet he participated in Northern Strike 2016, COCEX Ethan Allen 2017, COCEX Fort Devens 2018 and Enduring Fire 19-01.
In April of 2019 he assumed command of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 49 (MALS-49) based at Stewart Air National Guard Base, NY and relinquished command in April of 2021. Colonel Beichner’s follow on assignment was as the XO of Marine Aircraft Group 49 (MAG-49) and he participated in Gunslinger 2022 and ITX 4-23.
He assumed his current billet as Senior Reserve Advisor / Deputy Commander of MAG-49 in June of 2024.
Colonel Beichner has 2000 military flight hours and his personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with gold star, Air Medal with Strike/Flight bronze numeral 2, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with “V” with gold star and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two gold stars.