SSgt John Whitney enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and began Recruit Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina in October of 2011. Upon graduation from Recruit Training and Marine Combat Training, he attended the Basic Musician’s Course at the Naval School of Music in Norfolk, Virginia.
SSgt Whitney reported for duty in August of 2012 to the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band located in Okinawa, Japan and served as a Trumpet Instrumentalist in the Concert Band, Ceremonial Band, Jazz Big Band, and Brass Quintet ensembles, as well as a bugler for mess nights and memorial services. SSgt Whitney supported in many locations in the Indo-Pacific region including Japan, Korea, India, Thailand, Taiwan, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
In August of 2018, SSgt Whitney executed orders and reported to his next duty station at Recruit Depot San Diego, as a Trumpet Instrumentalist and served in the Concert Band, Ceremonial Band, and Brass Quintet ensembles, as well as a bugler for mess nights and funerals. He also held the position of Training Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (SNCOIC). SSgt Whitney used his time at the Recruit Depot to broaden his educational scope, attending classes at Grand Canyon University and the Career Course at the Staff Academy, graduating number one in his class.
In September of 2021, SSgt Whitney was selected to attend the Naval School of Music, Unit Leader Course; one of the Marine Corps’ most challenging music courses. Upon graduation from the Unit Leader Course, he remained on station to attend the Live Production Technician Course for training as a sound technician.
In September of 2022, SSgt Whitney reported to his current duty station at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina, as a Trumpet Instrumentalist. Upon arrival, he served as the Assistant Small Ensemble Leader and as a Trumpet Instrumentalist in the Concert Band, Ceremonial Band, and Brass Quintet ensembles, as well as a bugler for funerals. In July of 2023, SSgt Whitney was assigned the position of Acting Production Manager, and officially obtained the billet of Production Manager in July of 2024.
He earned his degree in Applied Management from Grand Canyon University and his personal awards are two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals.