John M. Vermillion graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point before embarking on a twenty-five-year career in the US Army, retiring as an Infantry Colonel. After his service, he spent a decade working overseas in a variety of quasi-military positions, including time spent in Germany, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Croatia, Bosnia, and Iraq.
Vermillion served as a platoon leader in Vietnam and an English instructor at West Point. In addition to West Point, he is a graduate of multiple military schools, including the US Army’s Airborne and Ranger programs, the School of Advanced Military Studies, and the National War College.