Lieutenant Colonel John M. Barnett.
Commanding Officer
Third Recruit Training Battalion

The Commanding Officer of the Third Recruit Training Battalion is Lieutenant Colonel John M. Barnett.

Lieutenant Colonel John Barnett is a native of Michigan. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1992 after completing the Platoon Leaders Course and graduated from Central Michigan University. Upon completion of The Basic School and Surface to Air Weapons Officer course, he served with both 2d LAAM Battalion and 1st LAAM Battalion in Yuma, Ariz., as a platoon commander, executive officer and battery commander.

During January 1997, Capt. Barnett reported to Recruiting Station Detroit where he served 36 months as the operations officer.

Upon completion of recruiting duty in January 2000, he attended the Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Intelligence Officer’s course in Dam Neck, Va. and reported to 2d Battalion, 7th Marines in Twenty Nine Palms, Calif. where he served as the battalion S-2 and Headquarters and Service company commander.

During the summer of 2002, Maj. Barnett reported to Special Operations Command, Joint Forces in Norfolk, Va. for service as an intelligence trainer. During this tour he was attached to the US Army’s 5th Special Forces Group, both in garrison for planning in 2002 and during initial combat operations in Iraq in 2003 as a Joint Special Operations Task Force. He attended the Joint Forces Staff College during this tour.

During the summer of 2005, Maj. Barnett reported to 1st Marine Aircraft Wing in Okinawa, Japan, and served as the deputy G-2. While with 1st MAW he deployed to Iraq as an individual augment on a military transition team, serving as the Recruiting Advisor to the Iraqi Armed Forces as they recruited and trained their new military force. Returning to Okinawa, Lt.Col. Barnett transferred to the III MEF staff serving as the G-2 Plans Officer.

During the summer of 2008, Lt.Col. Barnett transferred to the MAGTF Staff Training Program in Quantico, Va. for service as an instructor and as the operations officer.

During June 2010 he was transferred to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in order to assume the duties of Battalion Commander, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment.

His personal decorations include the Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two Gold Stars and the Joint Service Achievement Medal.