Lieutenant Colonel John R. Eppes was born in Lynchburg, Virginia in July, 1984. In 2002 he began attending James Madison University where he majored in Political Science and minored in Criminal Justice. During the middle of his college career, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. LtCol Eppes' first unit was 4th Combat Engineer Battalion, Charlie Company, in Lynchburg, Virginia.
In July of 2006, he deployed with 3rd Battalion 4th Marine Regiment as a combat engineer Team Leader in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from August 2006 to May of 2007. During the deployment, then Lance Corporal Eppes was meritoriously promoted to Corporal in August of 2006. Upon completion of his deployment, he remained an active reservist, completed his college education, and eventually attained the rank of Sergeant.
In October 2008, he attended Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia and was commissioned in December of 2008. He attended The Basic School and Infantry Officer's Course in Quantico, then attended the Ground Intelligence Officer's Course in Dam Neck, Virginia.
In 2010, LtCol Eppes reported to Second Battalion Sixth Marines, in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. There he served as the Scout Sniper Platoon Commander for a deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), in Marjah, Afghanistan. LtCol Eppes transitioned to the Battalion's Assistant Intelligence Officer position where he was doubled as an Information Operations Officer and deployed to OEF again in December 2011.
In the summer of 2012, LtCol Eppes attended Expeditionary Warfare School (EWS) resident course after being selected on the Commandants Career Level Education Board. Following EWS, he moved to be an instructor at the Ground Intelligence Officer Course at Marine Detachment Dam Neck, Virginia. While at the MARDET, his positions included the Course Director for the Ground Intelligence Officers Course, and Company Commander of the Enlisted Training Company.
LtCol Eppes departed Dam Neck, Virginia in the summer of 2016 and attended schooling in the Reconnaissance Training Company, graduating from the Basic Reconnaissance Primer Course and Basic Reconnaissance Course.
In December of 2016, LtCol Eppes reported to Force Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion where he served as the Operations Officer and was selected to take command of Force Detachment, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion. From April 2017 to June 2018, LtCol Eppes served as the company commander of the Force Reconnaissance Detachment. In December of 2017, he was selected for promotion to the rank of Major.
In March of 2018, LtCol Eppes was assessed and selected for a position with Joint Special Operations Command. He reported in 2018, where he served as Operations Officer followed by a selection to assume Troop Command in August of 2019. During his first two years within the command, he supported joint missions in numerous combat environments. Finishing his tour with the Brigade, he served as the Lead Planner for JSOC Intelligence Brigade support to exercises.
LtCol Eppes was selected on the Commandant's Professional Intermediate Education Board in 2020 and attended Command and Staff College in Quantico, Virginia in 2021. Upon completion in summer of 2022, he assumed the position as Executive Officer of Second Reconnaissance Battalion in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
In summer of 2023 LtCol Eppes transitioned to Stone Bay, NC and assumed duties as the Regimental Intelligence Officer of the Marine Raider Regiment. LtCol Eppes was selected for his current rank and promoted in February of 2024. In the summer of 2024 LtCol Eppes transitioned to his current position as the Assistant Chief of Staff G2 Deputy of 2d Marine Division. In 2024 LtCol Eppes was selected to assume command of 2d Reconnaissance Battalion summer of 2025.
LtCol Eppes' personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (X2), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal (X4), Joint Service Commendation Medal with 'C' Device, Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Combat 'V', Combat Action Ribbon (X2), Selective Marine Corps Reserve Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (X4), the Iraqi Campaign Medal (X2), and the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal.