Warrant Officer (WO) John Geary enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in July 2010 after earning his bachelor's degree in music education from James Madison University. He began his military career with Recruit Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, followed by Marine Combat Training at Camp Geiger, North Carolina. He then attended the Basic Musician Course at the Naval School of Music in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where he was promoted to lance corporal and graduated first in his class.
In June 2011, WO Geary was assigned to the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band in Okinawa, Japan, serving as a trombone instrumentalist, martial arts instructor, and assistant enlisted conductor. He rose to the rank of Corporal in October 2011 and Sergeant in January 2013. Acknowledged for his leadership, he was the awarded Honor Graduate and Iron Man of Sergeants Course Class 6-13. He went on to distinguish himself through his musical abilities and wrote exhibition drill performed at the Japan Self Defense Force Marching Festival in Tokyo, Japan, culminating in his selection as the FY2013 Marine Musician of the Year and being awarded the Colonel Hamilton Military Outstanding Musician Award.
In May of 2014, WO Geary reported for duty to the Quantico Marine Band in Quantico, Virginia, where he continued to serve in several billets including trombone instrumentalist, martial arts instructor, library NCOIC, and faculty advisor for Corporal's Course Class 1-15. WO Geary continued to write exhibition drill and lead rehearsals for internationally renowned tattoos including the Virginia International Tattoo and the Netherlands Military Tattoo. He was promoted to Staff Sergeant in October of 2017 and completed his master’s degree in music education from Boston University in January 2018.
After graduating from the Naval School of Music’s Unit Leader Course in August of 2018, WO Geary was stationed with the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band in Miramar, California, where he served as the unit’s Enlisted Conductor. He also served as a martial arts instructor, Sergeants School Seminar Program Instructor, completed the Audition Trainer Course, and was a distinguished graduate of the Career School Seminar Program.
In August 2021, WO Geary was selected for instructor duty at the Naval School of Music. Upon completion of the Navy Instructor Trainer Course, he served as an Advanced Academics Conducting Instructor, Instrumental Division Trombone Instructor, and earned his Master Training Specialist Certification. He had the distinct privilege to write exhibition marching drill featuring a massed band for the first time in the history of the Virginia International Tattoo and was named Center for Service Support Mid-Grade Instructor of the Year for CY 2022.
WO Geary was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant in July 2023 and graduated at the top of his class from the Advanced Musician Course in August 2023. He continued to instruct future iterations of the course until his selection as Band Officer in September 2023. From January to May 2024, he reported to The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia to attend the Warrant Officer Basic Course (WOBC).
Upon graduation of the WOBC in May 2024, WO Geary reported to the 2nd Marine Division Band at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, where he currently serves as the Assistant Director.
His awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (4th Award), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Good Conduct Medal (4th Award), National Defense Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.