Command Sgt. Maj. John H. Bishop Jr. was born and raised in a military family and enlisted in the United States Army in October 1996 as an administrative specialist, MOS 71L. He graduated from Basic Combat Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.
John H. Bishop Jr. previous duty positions have been as the Operations Sergeant Major, Medical Recruiting Brigade; Senior Operations NCO, Fort Knox, Kentucky; First Sergeant, Elizabethtown, Kentucky; Station Commander, Portland Recruiting Battalion, Honolulu, Hawaii; Equal Opportunity Advisor, 3rd Recruiting Brigade, Fort Knox, Kentucky; Station Commander, Greeneville, Tennessee; Recruiter, Kingsport, Tennessee; Senior Human Resource Sergeant, Fort Eustis, Virginia; Personal Service Sergeant, Fort Hood, Texas; Administrative Sergeant, Heidelberg, Germany.
Bishop has attended all levels of professional military education and is a graduate of the United States Army Sergeant’s Major Academy Class 69. Bishop has completed the Battalion Pre-Command Course, Command Sergeant Major Development Program, Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Course, Equal Opportunity Advisor Course, SHARP Course, USAREC Company Commander First Sergeant Course, Station Commander Course, Army Recruiter Course, Manpower Force Management Course, and the Combat Life Savers Course. His civilian education includes an associate degree and bachelor's degree in business management from Thomas Edison State College and a master's degree in business management with Trident University.
Bishop awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (2nd oak leaf cluster), the Army Commendation Medal (8th oak leaf cluster), the Army Achievement Medal (1 oak leaf cluster), the Army Good Conduct Medal (9th award), the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal (2 Stars), the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, the Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (3rd award), the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, Marksman Badge (Expert - Rifle), Drivers Badge, Valorous Unit Award, Master Recruiter Badge, and is a member of the prestigious Sergeant Audie Murphy Club.