Colonel John David Rhodes was born in Huntsville, Alabama in 1969 and enlisted in the United States Army in 1991. He served three years active duty as an enlisted Soldier. He graduated from the University of Alabama Huntsville and earned an ROTC commission from Alabama A&M University in August 1997. He completed the Engineer Officer Basic Course at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri in September 1998.
COL Rhodes is currently serving as the Commander for the 3d Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary). His previous duty positions include: G3 for the 81st Readiness Division; Brigade S3 and Deputy Commander for the 641st Regional Support Group; Battalion Commander for the 257th Transportation Battalion; Battalion S3 and Executive Officer for the 332nd Transportation Battalion; Company Commander for the 196th Transportation Company (PLS); Operations Officer for the 641st Regional Support Group (2006-2008); HHC Commander for the 32nd Transportation Group (2004-2006); Engineer Officer for the 32nd Transportation Group; and Platoon Leader and Executive Officer for Charlie Company, 926th Engineer Battalion.
COL Rhodes has two overseas deployment tours: Operation Iraqi Freedom with service in Kuwait (2003-2004) and Operation Spartan Shield and Inherent Resolve with service in Kuwait (2015-2016).
COL Rhodes is a graduate of the Army War College. His other military education includes: Advance Operations Course, Joint Professional Military Education Course, Joint Logistics Course, Intermediate Level Education Course, Combined Arms Exercise Course, Reserve Combat Multifunctional Combat Service Support Course, Senior Transportation Officer Qualification Course, and the Engineering Officer Basic and Advance Course.
His awards and decorations include: Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal w/ 4 oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal w/ 2 oak leaf cluster, Army Achievement Medal w/ 4 oak leave clusters, National Defense Service Medal w/ 2 oak leaf cluster, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/ “Bronze Hour Glass” and “M” Device, the Army Service Ribbon, and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal w/ 1 OLC, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
COL Rhodes holds both a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Alabama in Huntsville and a Master of Science in Accounting from Strayer University. Since his deployment in 2004, he has accrued almost fifteen years as a Department of the Army civilian assigned to the 143d Expeditionary Sustainment Command.