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John M. Sappenfield

Associate Professor Maritime Advanced Warfighting School
Lt. Col., U.S. Marine Corps, Retired
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Biography

John Sappenfield joined the civilian faculty in July 2014. He was commissioned in the Marine Corps in 1989 and designated a field artillery officer. During his Marine Corps career, he served in positions in the U.S. and overseas. He has extensive operational planning experience at the combatant command, service and functional component, and joint task force levels where he served in a range of planning and leadership billets. Retiring in 2009, he served as a deliberate planning specialist and joint operational planner at Marine Corps Forces Pacific. He was formally an adjunct professor for NWC College of Distance Education fleet seminar program where he taught joint maritime operations.

Contact Information

(401) 856-6243

Areas of Expertise

  • Amphibious Warfare
  • Artillery
  • COIN
  • International Relations
  • Irregular Warfare
  • Military Planning
  • Operational Warfare
  • Terrorism
  • Wargaming

Professional Highlights

2012

Joint Operational Planner, G5 Plans, Policy, and Intl Affairs Div, Hq USMARFORPAC

Lead complex joint and bilateral planning efforts while leading the USMC enterprise wide planning for establishment of USMC rotational force in Darwin. Lead planning for MARFOR plans to USPACOM OPLANs/CONPLANs. Conceive, design, and lead command wargames in support of OPLAN/CONPLAN requirements.
2009

Deliberate Planning Specialist, G5 Plans, Policy, and Intl Affairs Div, Hq USMARFORPAC

Conduct conceptual planning and developing concepts for Marine operations, posture, and concepts of employment in the Pacific. Plan in support of Marine Corps Service Campaign plan and MARFOR Theater Campaign Plan.
2007

Adjunct Professor, Joint Maritime Operations, College of Distance Education, Naval War College

Lead graduate level seminar of military professionals in Joint Maritime Operations course. Cultivated future leaders grounded in operational art through the use of case studies and practical exercises. Develop planners to solve complex operational problems using Naval Planning Process.
2007

Plans Branch Chief Operational Planner, G5 Plans, Policy, and Intl Affairs Div, Hq USMARFORPAC

Supervise development, revision and completion of MARFOR OPLANs/CONPLANS. Conduct conceptual planning and develop concepts for Marine operations, posture, and concepts of employment in the Pacific. Plan in support of Marine Corps Service Campaign plan and MARFOR Theater Campaign Plan.
2006

Operational Planner, G5 Plans, Policy, and Intl Affairs Div, Hq USMARFORPAC

Lead planning for MARFOR supporting plans to USPACOM OPLANs/CONPLANs. Design, and lead command war games in support of OPLAN/CONPLAN requirements.
2004

Branch Chief, War on Terror Branch, J35 Future Operations Div, J3 Directorate, HQ USAPACOM

Lead team of military and civilian planners, coordinate efforts across the command. Lead planning for compartmented projects, Operation Enduring Freedom-Philippines, and crisis action operations. Design and lead wargames for crisis action and special projects, integrate joint and interagency plans.
2002

Crisis Action Planner, War on Terror Branch, J35 Future Ops Div, J3 Directorate, HQ USAPACOM

Lead planning for compartmented projects, Operation Enduring Freedom – Philippines, and crisis action operations. Plan and author JOPES/APEX orders for USPACOM, JTFs, and functional components. Design and lead wargames for crisis action and special projects, integrate joint and interagency plans.

Education

M.A., The University of Oklahoma, 2018, International Relations

M.A., Naval War College, 2005, National Security and Strategic Studies, Distinguished Graduate

M.A., Webster University, 2001, Computer Resources and Information Systems Management

B.A., University of North Carolina, 1989, Peace War and Defense

Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies, 2011, Comprehensive Crisis Management

Joint and Combined Warfare School (JPME II), 2006, Joint Forces Staff College, National Defense University

Naval War College (Fleet Seminar Program), 2005, Distinguished Graduate

U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, 2002

USMC Command and Staff College (nonresident), 2002

External Memberships and Associations

Marine Corps League
Lifetime Member

Disabled American Veterans
Lifetime Member

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