Government Business Strategist
COL (Ret.) John E. McLaughlin was most recently the Director of C4 Operations, United States Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. He was responsible to provide, operate and defend the SOF Information Environment (SIE) and all SOF Networks in support of global SOF operations.
Throughout his career, COL (Ret.) McLaughlin served in several key leadership and staff positions. His assignments included:
- Battalion Signal Officer, 2-503d Infantry, Camp Hovey, Korea
- Battalion Signal Officer, 2-503d Infantry, Camp Hovey, Korea
- Platoon Leader and Assistant S3, 154th Signal Battalion, Fort Clayton, Panama
- Battalion Signal Officer, 1-508th Infantry (ABN), Fort Kobbe, Panama
- Company Commander and Group S6, 4th Psychological Operations Group, Fort Bragg, NC
- Battalion S6, 1-75th Ranger Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield, Savannah, GA
- Brigade S6, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC
- Assistant Division Signal Officer, and Battalion Executive Officer, 82nd Signal Battalion, 82d Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC
- Regimental Signal Officer, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, GA
- Battalion Commander, 112th Signal Battalion, United States Army Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, NC
- Battalion Commander, Joint Communications Unit, Fort Bragg, NC
- Brigade Commander, DISA Global, Scott AFB, IL
COL (Ret.) McLaughlin’s military decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal (1 OLC), Legion of Merit (1 OLC), and the Bronze Star (2 OLC). He has also been awarded the Ranger Tab, the Master Parachutist Badge, the Combat Action Badge, and the Argentinean, German, and Canadian Parachutist Badges.
COL (Ret.) McLaughlin’s military education includes the Signal Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Army Command and General Staff College, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. He holds a Master of Science degree in National Resource Strategy. He has also graduated from the U.S. Army Airborne School and Ranger School. He earned a Cyber Leader Certification from the National Defense University’s ICollege.
He is a graduate of Williamsville North High School in Buffalo, NY and the University of Texas at Austin where he was commissioned in the Signal Corps.
He retired 30 Sep 2017 and now owns his own independent consulting and keynote speaking firm, IPR Consulting LLC, specializing in Enterprise Operations and defense, Cyber Security, Satellite Operations, NETOPS and other C4I related areas.
COL (Ret.) McLaughlin has two daughters, Shannon and Meagan.