John B. Dickens was born on 1 July 1979 in Newport News, Virginia. Upon graduation from Menchville High School, he enlisted in July 1997. He was meritoriously promoted to Private First Class, Lance Corporal, and Corporal. Corporal Dickens was accepted for the Broadened Opportunity for Officer Selection and Training program and graduated seventh overall in a class of 300. Sergeant Dickens graduated from Old Dominion University in 2003 with a B.A. in International Studies and received a commission as a Second Lieutenant on 19 December 2003.
After completing the Basic Communications Officer Course in 2005, Second Lieutenant Dickens received orders to Communications Company, 1st Marine Division, where he served as the Multi-Channel Radio Platoon Commander. From January 2006 to January 2007, First Lieutenant Dickens deployed to Camp Blue Diamond Al Anbar Province in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 5-7. As the communications hub, First Lieutenant Dickens was responsible for providing communications capability to (x2) United States Army Brigade Combat Teams, Special Operations Command units, and Marine Corps units.
In February 2007, First Lieutenant Dickens reported to 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, where he served as the Battalion S-6 and Headquarters Company Commander. In 2008, Captain Dickens reported to Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity (MCTSSA) and subsequently deployed to Headquarters Regional Command South CJ6, Kandahar, Afghanistan as the Information Security and Plans Officer in support of International Security Assistance Force.
In July 2010, Captain Dickens received orders to 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion as the Battalion S-6A and performed a seven-month individual augment deployment in support of Special Operations Task Force West (SOTF-W) as the Signal Center Director for a United States Army Special Forces Group Airborne SOTF. Upon redeployment, Captain Dickens assumed command of Headquarters and Service Company.
In October 2012, Captain Dickens was selected by the Fiscal Year 2013 Commandant’s Career Level Education Board to attend the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS). Major Dickens graduated from NPS with a Master of Science in the Information Systems Technology curriculum. Major Dickens obtained the Cyber Security Fundamentals Certificate and successfully fulfilled the National Training Standards for Information Systems Security Professional, System Administrators, and Information Systems Security Officer.
In September 2015, Major Dickens received follow-on orders to MCTSSA and served as a branch head in the Program Engineering Support Group (PESG). Major Dickens was reassigned to Chief Domain Engineer and led a significant engineering and testing event in support of a MARFORPAC Deliberate Universal Needs Statement. Major Dickens oversaw the successful planning and execution of deploying and hosting Marine Corps Enterprise Network (MCEN) services on tactical equipment during the Deployable MCEN Limited Objective Exercises.
In July 2018, Major Dickens executed orders to Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade. Major Dickens served as C5 Directorate operations officer and oversaw the operation/maintenance of the Marine Corps Regional Hub Node (tactical Marine Corps Middle East network). Major Dickens’ subject matter expertise was instrumental in the initial planning/requirements development for establishing MCEN-N/S in Bahrain as a replacement for the tactical network supporting SPMAGTF-CC-CR and the rotational MEUs. Major Dickens subsequently received orders to MCIWEST–MCB CAMPEN G-6 and served as the Director of Operations and Plans from July 2019 – July 2021.
In August 2021, Lieutenant Colonel Dickens was assigned to United States Marine Corps Forces, Korea (MARFORK) and assumed the duties of Assistant Chief of Staff G-6. Lieutenant Colonel Dickens oversaw the planning and installation of the component enterprise data center (CEDC) (1 of 9 in the Marine Corps), which transitioned MARFORK from a tactical networking domain to the MCEN. The activation of the CEDC also ensured Marines operating on the Korean peninsula could access MCEN N/S services without relying on connectivity back to Okinawa.
In May 2022, Lieutenant Colonel Dickens arrived at Task Force 76/3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade where he served as the Assistant Chief of Staff G-6. As a newly formed integrated naval headquarters, Lieutenant Colonel Dickens’ efforts advanced 7th Fleet/III Marine Expeditionary Force’s plan to deliver reliable communication from the fleet to expeditionary advanced bases within the Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility. His technical prowess and commitment to the mission enabled commanders to leverage a new, unique capability when commanding/controlling the littoral task force.
Lieutenant Colonel Dickens holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and a Master of Science in Information Technology Management. Lieutenant Colonel Dickens is a graduate of Expeditionary Warfare School, a Distinguished Graduate of USMC Command and Staff College, a graduate of Air War College Top Level School, a graduate of Joint & Combined Warfighting School (JPME II), and an Honor Graduate of Joint Network Attack Course.
Lieutenant Colonel Dickens' awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (with five gold stars), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement (with two gold stars), and Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (with one bronze star).