SFC (RET) John M. Oyerbides
University of Southern Maine
Branch: Military Intelligence

SFC (RET) John M. Oyerbides is the son of U.S. Air Force parents and first entered Federal Service in the U.S. Navy on August 23rd of 1983 as a Fire Control Technician. He served seven years in both the Active Duty and Reserve Navy. His assignments included the frigates USS Barbie and USS Bradley. In 1990 SFC Oyerbides joined the U.S. Army as a Russian Linguist in the Signals Intelligence Field; receiving training at the Defense Language Institute, Monterey California. As a linguist for 17 years, he served in various positions from Collector/Transcriber to Mission Supervisor. Additionally, SFC Oyerbides received additional language training as a Serbian-Croatian and French Linguist.

From 1995 to 1999, SFC Oyerbides deployed in support of Operations Joint Endeavor, Joint Guardian and Joint Forge tasked with restoring peace to the former Republic of Yugoslavia. Additional assignments include Advanced Individual Training (AIT) Instructor and Platoon Sergeant for Signal Intelligence Soldiers at AIT, Goodfellow AFB, Texas; AIT Course Developer, 344th Military Intelligence Battalion; and Presidential Communicator, White House Communications Agency and Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington, D.C.

In 2007, SFC Oyerbides reclassed to the Quartermaster Corps and served from 2007 – 2010 as the Senior Food Service Management NCO for the 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command in Daegu, Republic of Korea. He retired from this last assignment in January of 2010 after over 26 years of total federal service.

Additional units of assignment for SFC Oyerbides include, 105th Military Intelligence Battalion (CEWI), 522 Military Intelligence Battalion (CEWI), 104th Military Intelligence battalion (TE), 1st Military Intelligence Battalion (AE), and Headquarters and Headquarters Company, US Army.

Among the recognition and awards for SFC Oyerbides are the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, NATO Medal, Army Senior Instructor Badge, Air Force Master Instructor Badge, and Joint Staff Service Badge. SFC Oyerbides received a Bachelor’s Degree from Texas Tech University and a Master’s Degree from American Military Univeristy.

SFC Oyerbides is originally from Lubbock, Texas, but has lived in or visited numerous places worldwide, including, Brazil, Germany, Iran, and South Korea. He is single and the father of one daughter, Courtney.