Major John A. Garcia was born on 21 December 1990 in El Paso, Texas. In August of 2009 Major Garcia was selected for the Marine Reserve Officer Training Corps and attended the University of Texas Naval ROTC. He graduated in May of 2013 with a BA in Kinesiology and commissioned as a Marine Officer.
Major Garcia was assigned to Alpha Company at the Basic School and follow on training at the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course, Fort Sill, OK and was designated a 0802 Field Artillery Officer in February 2015. His first assignment was Battery L, 3/10, 2d Battalion 10th Marines in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. During his time with Battery L, he served as the Fire Direction Officer from February 2015 to July of 2015. As the Fire Direction Officer, he supported Integrated Training Exercise (ITX) 3-15 in March and two Tactical Air Control Party FIREX’s in May and June of 2015.
In July 2015 Major Garcia deployed with the 10th Marine Regiment as an Artillery Liaison Officer for the Georgian Liaison Team in support of Operation Agile Spirit in the Republic of Georgia. While serving as a Liaison Officer he supervised the planning and execution for pre-deployment fires exercises for two company sized elements and one live FIREX. He operated alongside V36 weapons platoon, H&S platoon scout snipers, Georgian Special Operations Company and 5 Partner nation counterparts in support of the NATO exercise in the Republic of Georgia in preparation for deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
In September 2015 Major Garcia served, as Guns Platoon Commander for Battery L 3/10. During this time he supported ITX 1-16 in October
2015 and one TACP in November 2015. Following his time as a Guns Platoon Commander became the Fire Support Officer for Company C, 1st Battalion, 6th Marines in support of Battalion Landing Team 1/6 for the 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). He deployed aboard the USS Whidbey Island supporting two Multinational exercises, 5th and 6th fleet and contingency operations in support of the Global War on Terror and Operation Inherent Resolve.
Following the deployment on the 22d MEU, Major Garcia returned to 2d Battalion, 10th Marines. He served as the Assistant Operations Officer (AOPS) and Battalion Fire Direction Officer in January of 2017. While serving as AOPS he supported Regimental FIREX 1-17 and aided the Operations Officer in the Battalions operational training. In March of 2017, Major Garcia assumed the Role of Executive Officer (XO) for Battery E, 2d Battalion 10th Marines. While serving as XO he deployed with the battery to Okinawa, Japan in support of Unit Deployment Program (UDP) 17.2. While on UDP he supported Artillery Relocation Training Program 1-18 to Combined Arms Training Command Fuji.
Upon his return from UDP 17.2, in January 2018, Major Garcia, again, assumed the role of Assistant Operations Officer for 2d Battalion 10th Marines until following orders assignment to Marine Corps Detachment, Fort Sill, Oklahoma as a Fire Support Instructor. During the instructor time Major Garcia served as Primary instructor for one Field Artillery Basic Officer Course (FABOLC), and senior instructor for an additional two FABOLC classes. Following the FABOLC billet Major Garcia assumed the role of the Deputy Branch Fire Support Branch and taught an additional course under the Marine Artillery Basic Officer Course (MAOBC) until September of 2020. In October Major Garcia assumed the role of the Fires Branch Officer in Charge for the enlisted schoolhouses encompassing Fire Support Marine Course, and the Fire Support Chief’s Course until May of 2021.
Following Major Garcia's successful tour, he received orders to 2nd Battalion 10th Marines where he served as the Battalion Logistics Officer supporting five large scale firing operations and Regimental Fire exercise Rolling Thunder 22-2. Trough his brief but successful tour on the Battalion Staff, Major Garcia took command of Battery H on 13 May, 2022 where he successfully transitioned the first cannon to HIMARS battery in 10th Marines. In the spring of 2023 Major Garcia forward deployed a HIMARS platoon reinforced to the European theatre in support of Marine Rotational Forces Europe (MRF-E). During an episodic HIRAIN package he successfully completed 9 HIRAINS in 8 countries and safely fired live rockets in support of the Joint Force entry exercises to include the first HIMARS live fire in Africa for the Marine Corps. Following this deployment Major Garcia commanded the battery again forward deployed in support of Unit Deployment Program to Japan.
While on deployment to Okinawa, Japan part of the Unit Deployment Program Major Garcia commanded the Battery's participation in the Artillery Relocation Training Program (ARTP) 23.3 and Simulated Fire Exercise (SFX) to Combined Arms Training Center Fuji in conjunction with Battery A, 4th Marine Infantry Regiment and 3d Battalion 12th Marines. Following the success of ARTP elements of the battery began the robust Spring offensive starting with the Battery successfully completing the Basic Jungle Skill Course and Jungle Communications Operators course at the Jungle warfare training center in Okinawa, Japan. In March of 2024 under the Command of Major Garcia the Battery participated in Korean Marine Exchange Program 24.1 in the Republic of Korea. The Battery successfully completed Joint Live fire operations with US Army and Republic of Korea Army at the Rodriguez Live Fire Complex in South Korea and non live fire joint force operations in Okinawa Japan as part of Battery Lead Alert Contingency MAGTF operation Serpent Strike. In April of 2024 the Battery Redeployed to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina rejoining 2d Battalion 10th Marine Regiment.
Following a successful HIMARS Battery Command tour Major Garcia took command of Headquarters Battery, 10th Marine Regiment in May of 2024. In June of 2024 the Regiment conducted the Field Supply and Maintenance inspection receiving noteworthy remarks across the Regimental headquarters. Following the successful FSMAO inspection Major Garcia Commanded the regimental Headquarters to the annual Regimental Training Exercise, Rolling Thunder in October of 2024. Upon completion he currently serves in his current billet until November of 2024 where he will take command of Recruiting Station Fort Worth in the 8th Marine Corps District.